Father and son Stortford stalwarts take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for Grove Cottage

Local Bishop’s Stortford father and son duo, Russell and Tommy Cattell, are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September to raise much-needed funds for Grove Cottage.

Russell and Tommy will attempt to complete the 24.5 mile trek, which takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whemside and Ingleborough, in under 12 hours. The pair set a fundraising target of £1,000 but have already raised over £1,300 (including Gift Aid) five months before the event. They have now increased their target to £3,000.

Grove Cottage is the home of Bishop’s Stortford Mencap and provides social and educational activities for people of all ages with a learning disability. It costs £400,000 per year to run the service, but unfortunately does not receive any national funding.

Russell first started volunteering at Grove Cottage in 2015, driving the minibus to pick up and drop off members, as well as helping out at the Wednesday evening Adult Social Club. During his time as President of the Bishop’s Stortford Rugby Club, Russell also led a fundraising drive for the Cottage, raising £10,000.

Russell Cattell says: “It was a huge privilege to take on a volunteering role at Grove Cottage – the members are so full of joy and really great company. I always came home with a smile and so it’s become a cause very close to my heart. It’s clear Grove Cottage offers a vital service – not just for the members, but respite for their careers too, so since I learned it doesn’t receive any national funding, it’s become my charity of choice.

“Sport has always been a big part of my life, ever since I was kid. But over the last year, I’ve really gotten into walking. My kids got me a fitness watch for my birthday and since then, Tommy and I have become really competitive trying to outdo each other on our daily step count. But I thought we’d team up for this challenge to raise funds for an important cause.”

Tommy Cattell says: “Dad has always set a great example for me – he’s a real community man, always helping out at the rugby or cricket clubs and lending a helping hand to neighbours or friends. This is something I try to emulate as well so I’m proud to be teaming up with my Dad to raise money for a great local institution.”

Jeannie Philip, Community Fundraising Manager at Grove Cottage, says: “We are thrilled that Russell and Tommy are taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and have already beaten their initial fundraising target. We have 18 other people also taking part in this challenge on 11^th September which really seems to have caught everyone’s imagination this year. It’s a great way to challenge yourself with a group of friends and see some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery, whilst raising much-needed funds for local people with learning disabilities.”

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a 24.5 mile trek which takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whemside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours. These peaks form part of the Pennine range and encircle the head of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Russell and Tommy will attempt the challenge on Saturday 11th September 2021.

You can support Russell and Tommy by visiting their fundraising page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/RussellTommyCattell