By Leicester Mercury | Posted: August 03, 2013
The death of a teacher has spurred a group of friends to raise nearly £5,000 in her memory.
Barbara Millar, 41, from Alderman Richard Hallam School, in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, died on August 11 last year in LOROS hospice, after a diagnosis of skin cancer.
Now, a group of her colleagues and friends have taken on the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, and Snowden, in Wales, in just 24 hours to raise money for the hospice.
Jenny Jones, Sally Davis, Angela Dean, Sue Dyer, Deborah Rigby and Gemma Phillips, some of whom worked with Barbara at Alderman Richard Hallam, completed the challenge last weekend.
Jenny, 50, who met Barbara when she came to the University of Leicester from her home in Northern Ireland to train as a teacher, said: "She was such a life force. Very vivacious and full of fun, yet equally she had a philosophical and thoughtful side to her.
"She's hugely missed by everyone and, in our little sisterhood, as we called ourselves and that's why we wanted to do something to raise funds on her behalf.
"Her absolute passion was rugby. Barbara's uncle, Sid Millar, had been a British Lions player and president of the International Rugby Board, so she loved watching the Tigers and supporting her beloved Ireland in the Six Nations.
"Staff at LOROS looked after her towards the end and that's why we're raising funds for them."
The women endured hours of walking and some rainy conditions in the Lake District but returned triumphant.
Jenny said: "It was really tough, especially walking in the dark, but somehow we managed to put one foot in front of the other, despite our tiredness and get through it, which was absolutely thrilling.
"We were met by some family members at the bottom of the last peak, where we had a well- deserved bacon sandwich and collapsed in a heap. But it was all worth it and donations are still coming in."
Laura Betts, fundraiser for LOROS, said: "These woman have accomplished something amazing in memory of their dear friend, Barbara, and at the same time have helped to raise vital funds for LOROS.
"We are so grateful to all the ladies involved for their determination and commitment to give something back."
To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/ BarbaraMillar
