By Rutland times | Posted 1 March, 2013
Two sisters from Oakham are raising money for charity with a group of friends after the death of their father in September last year.
Helen Duncan, 36, of Parkfield Road and her sister Sarah Reader, 37, are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge in September to raise money for the LOROS hospice for the terminally ill and get through the anniversary of their father’s death. Helen and Sarah decided to embark on the challenge after their father Peter Reffell, 58, died of cancer having battled the disease for 16 months.
Helen, a social worker in Leicester, said: “To get through the one-year anniversary of dad’s death with strength and courage and to make him proud we are doing the Three Peaks Challenge.
“What better way to turn our pain into something positive than to raise money to support the charity that had helped dad to die as he had lived, with dignity and in peace.
“He was a hard-working, dignified and loving man.
“As a dad he was never afraid to tell us that he loved us and how very proud of us he was, even as we got older and had children of our own.”
Helen and Sarah joined the rest of their Three Peaks Challenge team and about 50 others to raise money for LOROS at the The Odd House Tavern in Oakham on Friday.
The evening included a meal and raffle and raised more than £650 towards the group’s £6,500 target.
Helen said: “It was a great night. The Odd House Tavern were great and people and businesses have been so generous giving prizes for the raffle.”
The group have been supported in their fundraising efforts by a number of local companies including: The Odd House, The Pera Foundation, Chris Foers LTD, Think Digital Print, The Buffs Club, Stapleford Park Hotel, Gates Nursery, Rutland Plastics and Catmose Sports.
In the run up to the challenge in September the group is holding a series of fundraising events including a family friendly charity football match on May 25 and a charity disco on April 27. To keep up to date with the teams’s efforts visit its Facebook page
To support the group visit www.justgiving.com/lora-loros-laughs or call Helen on 07877 959325
Photograph: The group are pictured at a fundraising evening at the Odd House Tavern, Oakham. From left, Sarah Tilley, Stacey Tilley, Kate Rosillo, John Robertson, Sarah Reader, Louise Carlyle, Helen Duncan, Jamie Jarczewski and Terry Dunlop.
