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Lads from Newbury, Thatcham and Reading to take on Three Peaks Challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust and friend Maddie Deacon who has leukemia




A group of mates are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge for a friend who has cancer.

Curridge woman Maddie Deacon, 24, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 21.

Maddie Deacon, picture: sent in via Stephen
Maddie Deacon, picture: sent in via Stephen

She completed her degree end of 2023 and then relapsed January 10, 2024 - just two days into her teaching degree.

She will now need more chemotherapy and another stem cell treatment to beat the cancer.

Six of her friends are taking on the 24 hour Three Peaks Challenge for Teenage Cancer Trust – which has supported her as she battles the disease.

The boys at Pen y Fan, picture: sent in via Stephen
The boys at Pen y Fan, picture: sent in via Stephen

Taking part are George Moss, 25, Charlie Millar, 23 and Sam Hewett, 23, from Newbury, Olly Shafer, 23, Alex Lett, 24 and Alex Painter, 23, from Thatcham, and Stephen Caldaralo, 24, from Reading.

They will be taking on the challenge on June 27, starting off from Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike, finally taking on Snowdon all within 24 hours, walking more than 26 miles.

“Maddie is one of my oldest mates,” said former Kennet School pupil George Moss.

George Moss, Stephen Caldaralo doing three peak challenge
George Moss, Stephen Caldaralo doing three peak challenge

“She is a wonderful, positive person.

“She would have been 21 years old when she was diagnosed and it was during the pandemic, when you couldn’t see anyone at the hospital.”

He added: “Her life was turned upside down but she is always smiling.

George Moss, Stephen Caldaralo doing three peak challenge
George Moss, Stephen Caldaralo doing three peak challenge

“I am so proud of her.”

Friend of around nine years Stephen Caldaralo said their challenge will be a hard one.

“I don’t think we actually understand how hard it is going to be,” the former Trinity pupil said.

“It is a full 24 hours, I am nervous.

“But I am excited about it, we’ve been training and it’ll be a bonding thing.

“We’ll all push each other through so we get to the last bit of Snowdon.”

Mr Moss added: “We have done practise runs, we climbed Snowdon.

“Even if we don’t do it in 24 hours, it will still be a great thing.”

Their fundraising page can be found at https://shorturl.at/lswU0

The group have also organised a ball for June in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the cancer charity.



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