Teen inspires team challenge
Gurpreet Samrai • Published 29 Apr 2012 15:30
FRIENDS and family of a brave teenager with a 'fighting warrior spirit' are taking on the 'toughest event on the planet' to raise funds in his memory.
Douglas Hibbitt's father, Gareth, and kickboxing instructor, Justyn Billingham, from Blaze Martial Arts in Windsor, will be joined by a team of 14 as they are put through their paces in Tough Mudder 2012 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, on Saturday, May 12.
The intrepid team is hoping to raise £1,000 for Helen and Douglas House, where 13-year-old Douglas, who lost his fight against a rare form of cancer on Thursday, March 29, received care. Dad Gareth, of Buttermere Avenue, Burnham, said: "In the last three months of Douglas' life Helen House was absolutely amazing.
"It's like a holiday home where kids can get the care they need and parents get the support they need. They know exactly what you need, when you need it. It is a home from home.
"I was quite overwhelmed when the team got together and said we are going to run it in Douglas' memory. They found inspiration in how he managed to carry on living his life and I think that's what is inspiring us to do the Tough Mudder in his name."
The event described as 'probably the toughest event on the planet' is a 10 to 12-mile obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces to test super-tough adventurers strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.
Mr Billingham, the Dedworth Middle School pupil's coach for six years, said: "We had put ourselves down to do it as a personal challenge, but once we found out Douglas had cancer and how Helen House supported his family, we decided we would raise money in his memory."
To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/Martin-Taylor10
This article appeared in Slough Observer 27 Apr 12
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