Marathon girl Amy Hughes takes the plunge to embark on sporting 12 days of Christmas
Shropshire's Marathon girl, Amy Hughes has experienced the highs and lows of sport in the first days of her 12 days of Christmas challenge.
The Oswestry woman, who set a world record by running 53 marathons in 53 days, is raising money for charity as well as raising awareness of the different sports people can enjoy in the run-up to Christmas Day.
On Tuesday she joined the Wrekin Star judo club and Telford Olympian, Kelly Edwards, on the mats on the floor of the club's headquarters at the Charlton School in Wellington for her first lesson in the martial art.
"It was a privilege to do some judo with Olympic silver medalist Kelly Edwards and the wonderful Wrekin star young people," she said. Keeping on floor level was a welcome relief for Amy, who the day before had taken to diving boards in Sheffield with a member of the GB diving squad, Freddie Woodward .
"I was absolutely petrified," Amy said.
The 28-year old went off the middle board but after climbing to the top of the highest board she could only watch as Freddie launched himself into the air before gratefully making her way back down the steps.
Another challenge saw her joining Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft in a handbike racing challenge.
"Hannah is patron of my charity and it is great to get her on board," Amy said.
Over the next few days Amy, who began her challenge with the Old Trafford Santa Run, will join swimming paralympians, have golfing lessons and even have a go at in line skating.
The challenges will end, weather permitting, on Christmas Eve, when Amy and her boyfriend Dave Keighley will tackle Wales highest peak – Snowdon.
"Dave spent a lot of time in the forces doing mountain training so he is the perfect person to get me up Snowdon.
"I have lived so close to the mountain for much of my lift but have never been to the summit."
Money raise from her challenges will be shared between her 53 marathons charity and the Kelly Holmes Foundation.
