Ultra Tour Monte Rosa in memory of my dear mum

I am taking part in the toughest event I’ve ever done – the four-day Ultra Tour Monte Rosa stage race – next month. I rarely race and I do not tend to fund-raise but I have been thinking about raising money in mum’s memory since she died three years ago. This event feels big and daunting enough to warrant a fundraiser.

I will be splitting any money raised between St Luke’s Hospice Cheshire, where mum (Sue Russell) spent the last weeks of her life, and Macmillan Cancer Support. The Macmillan nurses stepped in to provide comfort and support exactly when I asked them to.

The UTMR will be a major challenge for me and I have been training all year. A lot of the training is the sort of adventure I usually enjoy anyway but I've added many extra kilometres, ascent and some testing speed sessions to the mix.

There have been times when I have thought: "What on earth am I doing – and at the age of 57!" I know my mum would have asked why I feel the need to put myself through these things. Well, I don't very frequently but every so often I do like a big challenge.

I'll be thinking of my lovely mum as I push myself out of my comfort zone in the Swiss/Italian mountains.

Read more on my website: https://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2025/08/utmr-fundraiser-in-memory-of-my-dear-mum

Please do donate to my fundraiser if you would like to.