14 Sep 2023
Walking from Ye Olde Fighting Cocks to St Albans Cathedral and back again is how a 75-year-old former social worker is training for a French Three Peaks Challenge.
Miranda Phillips, who survived severe spinal injury, is walking up three mountain peaks in the French Alps to raise money for the Spinal Research charity.
She has been training since January in order to build her strength to walk three mountains over three days, starting at Chamonix in France on October 2.
She explained: “I’ve had spinal problems since an accident when I was 15 years old, helping my father on the family farm. The problems recurred for most of my life, getting much worse in my 40s when I had to have urgent spinal surgery and I’m so grateful that my treatment has enabled me to continue to walk.
“Last year I took a look at the training required to complete the Spinal Research Three Peaks challenge and decided that I could give it a go if I started an exercise regime straight away to build my strength. It has certainly helped me increase my fitness and will help raise awareness and funds for this brilliant charity.”
Miranda, who used to work as a mental health social worker in the city, has been walking two to eight miles a day in various locations across St Albans and working out in the Westminster Lodge gym on the treadmill and static bike.
She added: “My regular work-out is walking uphill from the Fighting Cocks pub up to the St Albans Cathedral and back again – over and over again!”
“I survived my spinal injuries but not everybody is so lucky. I’m also doing this in memory of a friend Peter Constable, who lived in Ramsbury Road, St Albans. Peter died several years after a tragic bike accident when he broke his neck leaving him completely paralysed. “
“ I’m determined to help fund-raise for Spinal Research to help bring more innovative treatment for people who suffer paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.”
To donate to Miranda’s Three Peaks Challenge go to her Just Giving fundraising page https://bit.ly/AlpineMiranda
