70 year old Paul Grimely takes on 70 tops challenge in honour of Amy Marsden

Paul Grimely of Melbourne is walking the 70 - highest tops in Lake District in honour of his great niece Amy Marsden.  Amy suffered from epilepsy, but despite her condition was studying for a BA in English at De Montfort University.  She died of SUDEP aged just 21 a few weeks before her final exams. The University later awarded her a posthumous degree.

Paul decided to tackle the 70 tops to raise money for SUDEP Action to honour Amy’s memory and mark reaching the age of 70.

Paul who is well over half way through his challenge tops explained: “A top may be the summit of a fell (mountain), or a high point on a ridge or plateau.  They are all over 2,570 feet (783 Metres) and can be grouped into 14 or 15 walks.  I anticipate several trips to the Lake District doing 2 or 3 walks on each trip with the aim of walking all tops by winter 2014.”

“The toughest so far was Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, a walk of over 10 miles and 4000 feet of ascent. The rocky, stony tracks took their toll on my legs”.

Paul travels to Cumbria about once a month where he meets up with his experienced walking buddies Clive Hutchinson and Chris Brisbourne.

 Inspired by Yvonne and John Robinson who sailed around Britain to raise funds for The Epilepsy Deaths Register, Paul would like the money he raises to go towards register.  

Paul commented: “your sponsorship will be great encouragement to complete the challenge. Epilepsy claims about 1150 lives a year and about 500 of these are SUDEP deaths. About 40% of these deaths could be preventable through education, awareness and regular use of the right medication. SUDEP Action is a small but dedicated charity, please support me and help them to do all that they can to prevent unnecessary deaths from epilepsy”.

If you would like to support Paul please visit his Just Giving Page at www.justgiving.com/PMGrimley/