This Is Guernsey

By Zoe Ash

Training on the cliffs for their charity challenge are, left to right, Rupert Hague-Holmes, Nigel Govett, James Tracey and Ian Smith. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0792970)

FOUR bank workers are preparing for the challenge of a lifetime.

On Saturday, a team from Close Bank will join the Royal Marines to run 30 miles across Dartmoor carrying 30lb of kit.

Only two civilians are known to have completed the gruelling course. Sir Jimmy Savile did it in the 1970s and was awarded an honorary Commando Green Beret by the Royal Marines. The other was former Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.

Rupert Hague-Holmes, 43, legal director at Close, was behind Run for Charlotte, which aims to raise £40,000 for Smile4Rich, the charity associated with the Wessex Neurological Centre in Southampton.

His daughter, 13-year-old Charlotte, was successfully treated there when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December.

He and three work colleagues – Ian Smith, 34, James Tracey, 29, and 35-year-old Nigel Govett – took to the south coast cliffs to prepare for the challenge.

‘It is a great reason to get fit and raise money at the same time,’ said Mr Tracey.

Both he and Mr Smith had personal reasons for taking part.

‘My mum had a brain tumour for 25 years before doctors picked up on it,’ said Mr Smith.

Mr Tracey’s uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 13, the same age as Charlotte, and suffered life-changing side effects. And his grandfather died of a neurological aneurism.

‘These sorts of thing seem to affect more people than you would expect. Everyone seems to know someone who has been affected,’ he said.

Mr Smith said training had been tough.

‘It has started to take over our lives. Every day there is something,’ he said.

The team has been running the cliffs three times a week and Mr Govett and Mr Smith completed the 40-mile Itex Walk with the packs on.

Three generations of Mr Hague-Holmes’s family will take part in a section of the route when his 76-year-old father, Digger, and 10-year-old son, William, join him for a three-mile stretch.

The run starts at 4am and they are hoping to complete it in eight hours.

Mr Govett said team spirit and morale were essential if they were going to succeed.

‘There has been really good banter and it has been a great way of getting to know each other,’ he said.

Mr Hague-Holmes said the support was invaluable and that his colleagues had needed little encouragement to get involved.

‘It has been tough, especially in the heat. The key is going to be staying hydrated,’ he said.

nÊFor more information and to read Charlotte’s own account of her journey, go to www.runfor charlotte.com.

nÊRun for Charlotte wristbands are available in pink and purple from the reception at Close at £2 each or two for £3.

nÊOn 19 September, a dinner will be held by the Run for Charlotte team in a marquee at Icart Point. Tickets are £60 – for more information, contact Mr Hague-Holmes or Claire du Feu on 726014.

Article posted on 13th July, 2009 - 2.29pm