Swapping runways for an ULTRA big challenge

8th May 2024

An Ultra Bank Holiday challenge

Giles Peeters will be swapping runways for an ultra big challenge this weekend in aid of St Luke’s, having already raised a staggering £14,500 so far!

Giles, from Haverhill, Suffolk, will be taking a break from his job at the Airfield Operations department at Stanstead Airport to take on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, a gruelling 106km race in memory of his sister-in-law Kate Peeters, who died in November.

Despite living hundreds of miles away from Plymouth, Giles saw first-hand the impact St Luke’s made during Kate’s time in our care.

Something to say thank you

“Kate’s last few weeks were spent at St Luke’s, and they were just wonderful in not only the care they gave Kate but also to my brother Mark, my nephew Theo and Kate’s family.

“The staff were just so considerate, calm and caring and nothing was too much effort. I just wanted to do something to say thank you from both sides of Kate’s families.”

A heart of gold

“Kate was such a kind-hearted person who had a heart of gold. She loved her gardening and sometimes Mark thought a little too much – she once got a wheelbarrow for her birthday! Mark and Kate together were a cracking partnership and April 24 should have been their 30th wedding anniversary.

“Kate’s caring side was evident as she happily volunteered for many years helping cancer patients at the Royal Marsden, and she just loved it. Kate was taken away from us far too early and she had so much more to give to this world, and she touched so many people’s lives around the world and this is evident by how much money this event has raised in Kate’s memory.”

£14,500 for patient care

Giles set out with a fundraising target of £1,000, within days this was broken and the total now stands at over £14,500! This amount alone will be enough to provide care at home for 14 patients, which really is truly incredible.

Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge

A fan of the outdoors, Giles, who lives with his wife Sarah, daughter Molly and two working cocker spaniels, decided that the Isle of Wight Ultra would provide the perfect challenge to do in Kate’s memory.

“The Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge is basically circumnavigating the circumference of the island which is around 106km. Myself and two other colleagues from Stansted will be starting at 7am on Saturday 4 May at Chale and hope to be back in Chale within 18hrs. This will be my 4th Ultra Challenge, but this is the longest, and going on experience I will be 5-6 toenails lighter by the end!

A mental challenge

“I find the event more of a mental challenge than a physical one, but I know I will have somebody special pushing me on when I am mentally and physically fatigued. Don’t get me wrong I will probably be unable to walk at the end of it, and I have given up saying ‘never again’ after these events, but this really is the last one!”

To visit Giles’ fundraising page click here.

Take on a challenge for St Luke’s

Giles is not the only one taking on a challenge this Bank Holiday weekend. From taking on the three peaks to running a half marathon in Sydney, our supporters are an inspiring bunch.

If you have been inspired to take on a challenge in aid of St Luke’s, then please do get in touch and let us know so we can support you.

Do it for St Luke’s Giles’ JustGiving page

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