A solicitor with a leading north Wales law firm is swapping the office for Scotland’s great outdoors as she joins Gwrych Castle I’m a Celebrity…Get me Out of Here 2020 winner Giovanna Fletcher on a 100km trek in aid of breast cancer awareness.
Rebecca Robinson, of Swayne Johnson who have a base in St Asaph and offices at Menai Bridge, Llandudno, Denbigh, Ruthin and Tattenhall, Chester, was selected from hundreds of applicants to take part in the gruelling walk in the Scottish Highlands to raise funds for the CoppaFeel breast cancer awareness and education charity, which encourages people to check themselves regularly for signs.
The mum-of-one, originally from Sale, will be one of 100 walkers when they set off on the Rob Roy Way, which runs from Drymen in Stirling to Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross.
They will walk 100kms over five days, climbing Ben Lawers, which at 3,982ft is the highest mountain in the southern Highlands.
Despite being a keen runner and having five marathons under her belt, Rebecca believes this to be her biggest physical challenge to date but she is relishing the prospect.
She said: “Much of the marathon and road running I do is along flat terrain and even though it is challenging, it’s over in a short space of time but I have recently been doing a lot more off-road running which I hope will help.”
“The trek is going to be difficult both physically and mentally. I don’t really like camping and I’ve not spent more than a night away from my young son, so that’s going to be tough in itself. But I enjoy walking and have done a lot through lockdown so I am pretty fit.”
Rebecca decided to put herself forward for the challenge after seeing Giovanna, who is the Patron of CoppaFeel, taking part in these treks since 2017 and she said: “Life is about trying to grab every opportunity that comes your way.”
“I wanted to do something completely out of my comfort zone and I think the feeling of completing 100km in five days will be a massive relief and also an achievement for me personally.
“I lost my mum in 2018 and although not to cancer, the loss of someone so very close to me changed my outlook on life entirely. Making the most of opportunities that present themselves to me is my new outlook on life.”
Rebecca added: “The work that CoppaFeel do in focusing on promoting early detection of breast cancer by encouraging women under 30 to regularly check their breasts can be life-saving so I feel this is an excellent charity for me to support.”
Swayne Johnson Director Lynette Viney-Passig, who heads their Private Client department, said: “This will be a fantastic effort by Rebecca on behalf of a really important charity and we’re right behind her.
“At Swayne Johnson we’re always very supportive of our staff getting involved with charities, both local and national, and Rebecca has really embraced this.
“It is important to us that we connect with the communities where we work and that as well as providing specialist legal services across a wide range of areas of law, we pride ourselves on being active and supportive within the community.
“A big part of what we do at Swayne Johnson is about relationships. Clients don’t want faceless people, they want someone who can literally hold their hand for them and that’s what Rebecca brings to her role.”
Rebecca has from now until September to train and is calling on kind-hearted people to sponsor her.
“The aim is for each of the walkers to raise £2k and I have a few ideas on how I can raise the money, linking in with the village school and sports club, but it would be great if anyone reading this can help me reach my target.”
“I am part of a group on Facebook now with all the other walkers and some of their stories and reasons behind why they are doing it are inspirational.
“There are so many strong people taking part and I am proud to be doing this with them.”
Those interested in Rebecca’s progress throughout her fundraising journey and during the trek in September can follow Swayne Johnson’s Facebook account for updates.
To sponsor, visit https://coppafeel.enthuse.com/pf/rebecca-robinson-e9f47
