5:34pm Wednesday 8th September 2010
By Alex Lewis
A GROUP of ten friends from St Albans scaled three mountains in Yorkshire within 12 hours on Saturday, raising money to combat motor neurone disease.
All from St Albans or London Colney, the intrepid group completed a 25-mile route including the challenging peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-ghent.
They were inspired by another St Albans man, a victim of motor neurone disease who wants to be identified only as Howard.
Stephen Barbour of Hopground Close said: "Motor neurone disease leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility to the limbs and difficulty with speech, swallowing and breathing. This is often a terminal disease affecting two people in 100,000.
"Howard is a terrific dad of three boys and husband to a supportive wife. Since his illness was diagnosed, he has continued to be very positive and do as much as he can with the boys and you will never hear him moan.
"We have done something worthwhile as good friends, for a very good cause and hopefully have done something to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.
"We are especially grateful to Martin our support driver, who kept us topped up with supplies.
"The only question now is what challenge we will set ourselves next year."
The group hope readers will support their efforts at http://www.justgiving.com/StephenBarbour, with proceeds to the Motor Neurone Disease Association .
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/trade_directory/