Group’s summit meeting
Ben Evans, Martin Lally and Andy Harker
A COURAGEOUS Wigan grandmother has inspired a group to climb three mountains in her memory.
Margaret Lally was 83 when she passed away last year but as those close to her will tell you, she certainly didn’t act like it. Young at heart, popular and full of spirit, she inspired those who she knew – and even those she didn’t.
Her grandson Martin Lally was one of those people.
He said: “Everyone that knew her would tell you how she acted and behaved like a lady half of her age. She was mobile and active, and more than anything she was a pillar of her community.
“She was so popular and such a wonderful and inspiring woman, I loved her to pieces.”
But only months after her birthday, Margaret, who lived in Up Holland, fell ill and became easily confused.
By June, she had suffered a number of stokes that hospitalised her and she never made it home before passing away on July 31.
So in awe of his grandmother through, Martin and his pals wanted to do something in her memory to help the Stroke Association in their work.
A number of ideas were discussed but the group settled on a three peak challenge,
Martin, 31, added: “We will be climbing Scar Fell, Skiddaw and Hellvellyn in the Lake District in under 18 hours.
“It’ll be a total 9,380 feet, so it will be very tough I’m sure.
“We didn’t want to do something too big for us to start with but one day, I want to do the three big peaks in Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon
“I am proud to remember my grandma. Throughout her life she saw the best in people and I now want to challenge myself every year to raise money for this cause.”
The group, which will include Martin’s 22-year-old brother Andrew Harker, are currently in training to ensure they are fit enough to take on the challenge on July 31, a year to the day that she died.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/margaretlally.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
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Wind direction: West
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