Woman takes on 70 charity challenges in two years

A Cornish woman has spent almost two years completing 70 challenges to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in a tribute to her mum who died with the condition.

Pippa Marshall, from Wadebridge, is now preparing for her biggest task yet; walking, cycling and swimming the 31-mile (50km) length of the River Camel.

Her mother Carol was diagnosed with MS when she was aged 19 and about to get married. As she gradually lost her mobility, Pippa became her carer.

Ms Marshall said: "My purpose is to honour Mum's memory and highlight the gift of movement that able bodied people take for granted."

MS is a debilitating neurological condition affecting the brain and spinal cord.

It causes severe pain, fatigue, cognitive issues and vision problems.

According to NHS England, more than 150,000 people in the UK are living with the condition.

The River Camel challenge includes walking 12 miles (20km) from its source above Camelford to Wenford on the Camel Trail where Ms Marshall will cycle another 12 miles to Wadebridge and then swim another six miles (10km) to Padstow.

Ms Marshall said it was a particularly personal challenge.

"Mum grew up in Grogley and went to school in Nanstallon, where she is now buried," she said.

"I grew up in Wadebridge so the River Camel has always been there in one way or another, linking us past and present.

"I am trying to train as I am a 50-year-old, unfit woman but have a lot of determination."

She said all of her 70 challenges had been inspired by her mother's determination despite her illness.

"Mum was housebound for approximately 10 years and ended up with epilepsy too.

"She suffered so much and her world became so small. I have always found it hard to deal with how sorrowful the whole thing was.

"She never complained, she was always bright and cheerful and the thing that she said was that there is always someone worse off than yourself.

"So this has all been about telling the world that Mum - Carol Marshall existed."

Carol Marshall died aged 63 and her daughter decided to take on her 70 challenges to mark what would have been her mum's 70th birthday.

Other activities have included hang gliding, swimming around St Michael's Mount, singing in public, entering cake competitions using her mum's cookbook and entering her mother's artwork into local events.

Her big 50km challenge, when she will be supported by Open Water Devon, is set to take place on 22 June.

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