Aviemore mum's "Davina" dare

An Aviemore fitness instructor intending to emulate TV star Davina McCall’s incredible 500-mile Sports Relief triumph in aid of Help4Heroes has sent out her own SOS.

Sharon Atherton was prompted to undertake her own version of the gruelling challenge after being dared by her daughter Kira following the pair watching Davina’s exhausting efforts on TV.

The 37-year-old gymnastics coach is punishing her body in aid of the forces’ charity, by running, swimming and cycling her way from the northern most point of the Scottish mainland to the border in just one week from next Monday (September 22).

She told the “Strathy”: “I still need loads of help getting things arranged before I start including volunteers to run, bike and swim as much or as little with me as they can manage.

“The pace will not be speedy - it is an endurance event after all - but it would be fantastic if people came in on it to ensure the cause gets the recognition it deserves.”

Sharon admitted that training had been ‘pretty brutal’ even by her own levels of fitness.

The fundraiser is scheduled to start on Monday at John o’Groats and will finish at Gretna – with a loop of the Cairngorms National Park en-route thrown in for good measure. Sharon admitted: “Because I’m organising the whole thing I’m now up against a deadline and there’s so much to do before I even start running.

“I have a Facebook page on the go already but I have yet to tie up all the loose ends for kit, food, support crew and transport, accommodation and everything else. That’s a mountain to climb first!”

But she continued: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I know I’m fit enough to do it because that’s my work but to complete 517 miles successfully I admit I’m going to need a lot of help.”

Initially from Paisley, Sharon moved to Aviemore seven years ago and helps scores of local High Life Highland cardholders in the strath to get fit every week.

More details about Sharon’s epic fundraiser can be found in this week's "Strathy" out on Thursday.

Also via https:/m.facebook.com/groups/402101013262545

Useful links for “Strathy” readers wanting to back Sharon:

http://www.bmycharity.com/SharonAtherton

Link to Help For Heroes page where she features as an “Inspirational Fundraiser”

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-involved/events-and-fundraising/inspirational-fundraisers/day-in,-day-out!

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