A PA at a Wrexham finance firm who trains for triathlons in her spare time is putting her fitness to good use and taking part in a Slovenian charity mountain trek.
Fiona Clarke who works for Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management, based in Regent Street, will don her hiking boots to take part in the four-day expedition through the Julian Alps.
The formidable mountains are named after the mighty Roman leader Julius Caesar who founded a city at the foot of the range which stretch from north eastern Italy to Slovenia.
The region is home to a range of plants and wildlife including Golden Eagles and alpine marmots and goats.
The trek, taking place at the end of June, has been organised by the St. James’s Place Foundation, the charitable arm of the FTSE 100 Company St. James’s Place which is one of the UK’s largest wealth management organisations and looks after client funds amounting to £79.8 bn.
Hadlow Edwards is a Principal Partner Practice of St. James’s Place and after joining the firm in July past year, Fiona decided to sign up to take part in the trek.
Fiona, 24, of Connah’s Quay, is currently training for the UK Ultimate Half Triathlon being held in Whitchurch, Shropshire, on June 11, just a fortnight prior to the charity trek.
The event will see her tackle a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile cycle and a half marathon and is perfect fitness preparation for her mountain challenge.
The charity trek will see her head high into the Mount Triglav range which includes Slovenia and the Julian Alps’ highest peak of the same name which stands at almost 3,000 metres. Her group will stay in basic mountain huts along the way.
Fiona, a maths graduate of Aberystwyth University, said: “The triathlon and the trek have given me a double challenge to think about and I have been enjoying the training for the triathlon which I hope will hold me in good stead for the trek itself.
“I have always been an outdoorsy type of person and when I saw the offer of the trek, it just appealed to me straight away as another active challenge to get stuck into.
“I enjoy hiking and I like being up in the mountains, in that sort of environment which gets you away from everything.
“The fact it is also raising money for charity is great too and I am aiming to raise at least £500.”
Events and challenges are held every year by St James’s Place Foundation which has been supporting those in need since 1992 by awarding grants to charities registered in the UK with more than £56 million raised to date.
Causes supported include Support Dogs, a national charity which trains and supports dogs to help people with a range of disabilities including autism and epilepsy, The Brain Tumour Charity which helps children and families affected by a brain tumour, and Supporting Nepal’s Children which works to improve the life and choices of children living in remote Nepalese villages.
Dominic Richmond, Operations Director for Hadlow Edwards, said: “We are very pleased that Fiona will be representing the company at the latest St James’s Place charity trek and the whole team here will be sending her on her way with our very best wishes.
“We know how committed she is to her triathlon training and we feel sure that same dedication will be applied to the trek itself.”
Fiona’s charity excursion on rocky terrain in the limestone mountains comes just after Hadlow Edwards reached a milestone in its own charity fundraising for Nightingale House Hospice.
The company, founded and run by joint directors Medwyn Edwards and Warren Hadlow, has raised £20,000 over the last few years for Nightingale House Hospice via a client referral donation scheme and sponsoring some of the main events held in aid of the hospice on Chester Road.
Other charities supported by Hadlow Edwards include Nicola’s Fund, a charity inspired by talented young performer Nicola Riley who was a pupil of the prestigious Chester Hammond School thanks to her natural gifts for dance and drama.
Nicola of Llay was five days away from her 15th birthday when she passed away on April 20, 2005, following a long and determined fight against a brain tumour.
The charity, set up by Nicola’s parents Debbie and Steve, who works at Hadlow Edwards, helps families coping with childhood cancer to enjoy a well-deserved paid-for holiday.
To sponsor Fiona, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FionaClarke6
