Maureen's Peak Practice!

Edge Hill lecturer Maureen Sloan is aiming to 'reach her peak? ?well, three of them in fact!

Maureen, who teaches PGCE Business Education, is joining students from Garstang High School in their quest to complete the 'Three Peaks Challenge? ? a popular test of endurance which involves scaling the highest summits in England, Scotland and Wales.

"In itself, climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis is a big task," said 39-year-old Maureen, who is married with two children. "But we have decided to go one stage further by cycling to and from each hill ? a total of almost 450 miles!

"Quite a distance even for the most experienced of cyclists, let alone someone who has only had a bike since Christmas!"

The ultimate aim of the challenge, which takes place between 13th and 25th of July, is for each of the 14-strong team to raise £500 for the Breast Cancer Campaign and the Still Birth and Neonatal Death Society.

"The challenge organiser, Simon Milward-Hopkins, has arranged five practice rides to get us all up-to-speed before the main event," added Maureen. "It?s sure to be a really tough, yet enjoyable few weeks and hopefully we?ll raise loads of money for two very worthy causes."

In addition to their loan of Maureen's services, Edge Hill has also provided a minibus to transport the cyclists to and from the start and finish of their expedition.