A YOUNG junior doctor from Overton is taking on an amazing triathlon challenge to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Dr Meg Pragnell, 25, who is currently working in Chesterfield and whose family are in Overton, is set to take on a “completely bonkers” triathlon challenge later this month.
She is set to climb three UK peaks, swim three of the largest lakes and cycle between each to complete the challenge.
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Meg stopped by the hospice last week to share her fundraiser and explain why she chose St. Michael’s.
She said: “My beloved Grandad, Pops, was cared for by the hospice at home team. He was a very stoic man and maintaining his dignity was so important for him. The team who cared for him, the nurses, doctors, physios and occupational therapists, showed so much kindness and respect and made sure that until the end and including his death he always maintained his dignity. We are so grateful for that.”
Meg’s challenge will start on September 18 by climbing Ben Nevis before cycling to Loch Lomond. After swimming the Loch, she will cycle to and swim across Lake Windermere before then climbing Scafell Pike.
Finally, she will cycle to Llyn Tegid in Wales, swim across it and then cycle on to Snowden for a final climb.
The challenge is a total of 65km of swimming, 640 miles of cycling and 3.64 km of hiking elevation. An incredible amount of training has gone into the challenge and Meg has balanced all of that with the pressure being a junior doctor.
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A year after Meg lost her grandad, her grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimers and the Alzheimer’s Society provided support to the family.
Meg has described it as an honour to be representing both charities during her challenge.
Sue O’Flinn, communications manager at St Michael’s Hospice, said “It’s been incredible to follow Meg’s journey on Instagram as she trains for this event. We all think she is just amazing and are so grateful to her for what she is doing.
“We know that it is a tough time for people right now and many are worried about the winter. So we are especially thankful to those who are contributing to Meg’s fundraising and we hope everyone’s best wishes help her through all those miles.”
If you would like to contribute to the fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/team/thetripeakschallenge/
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