Meet the local woman who’s been raising money for Marie Curie through challenges and needs your help for one final push

Supermum Michelle Beaver came up with a novel way to celebrate her 50^th birthday and has been cycling,  squatting, and powerlifting her way through a series of gruelling fitness challenges to raise money for the end of life charity, Marie Curie.

Michelle decided to complete over 20 challenges to mark her half century and is set to crown a marathon year of fundraising for Marie Curie with a 5k New Year’s Eve power walk in Sefton Park.

Instead of taking it easy for her birthday year she has cycled her way around Majorca on a hillside cycling circuit, climbed Mount Snowdon, ran around the fells of the Lake District, ran 300km in 30 days and even tried to conquer her fear of heights by abseiling 150ft down Liverpool Cathedral.

Michelle has also run, rowed and cycled around 1000km – equivalent to 25 marathons – as well as completing a squat challenge which saw her complete 3000 squats in just one month.

Her challenges have so far raised over £2,000 for Marie Curie but now she wants to top it all by raising another £1,000 in her final weeks to see in the new year in style .

The mum-of-three said: “I wanted to do something memorable for my 50^th. And I decided life is too short and not for winding down.  I wanted to get out there and do things and see and enjoy the world while I still can. I decided to make this my “Yes” year when I agreed to do things rather than say no, so, I decided to accept the challenges. I am not one for sitting down and watching telly as I don’t ever like to be still. People often wait to do bucket lists and leave it too late. But I wanted to get out there while I still can. And I want to raise as much money as I can. So anyone can join me in the park for my final challenge and donate some money and walk off the Christmas indulgence.”

Michelle has been a supporter of Marie Curie ever since nurses from the charity cared for her aunt and mum when they were terminally ill. 

Since then, Michelle – who is a hospital governor and works part time as a nurse on the coronary care unit at the Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital – has fundraised for the charity taking part in treks abroad to places including Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

But this has been her biggest challenge to date. 

Michelle started her exercise binge in January this year with a series of daily 5km rowing challenges before climbing Mount Snowdon.

She spent the next month weightlifting before taking a quick break for her March birthday- where she took charity donations in lieu of presents- before later completing a home triathlon comprising of a 5km row, 20km cycle and 10km run. 

Michelle spent the following month doing over 3000 squat kicks at home before completing the Manchester half marathon as well as multiple training runs and cycle rides before running a tea party and raffle.

Then she tried to conquer her fear of heights by abseiling down the front of Liverpool Cathedral.

Michelle from Woolton, Merseyside added: ”I was absolutely terrified. It was my worst fear abseiling the cathedral and something I will never do again. I like my feet to be on the ground. But at least I tried it. It was horrible and I am still scared of heights but glad I did it.”

She followed that up with an alternative triathlon event each day for 31 days as well weekend road cycling before flying to Majorca to complete a gruelling road cycling circuit favoured by professional cyclists.

After notching up 250km cycling the hills of Majorca she went trail running in the hills of the Lake District before running 300km in 30 days.

Now she is planning to cap her mammoth year of challenges with a more sedate 5k stroll through Sefton Park with her supporters. 

She added: “It’s been such a fun year. I have loved fundraising for Marie Curie as they are a great bunch of people, and they support so many families across Liverpool and the north west. I am not skinny as a rake, but I am fit. It’s been great getting outside and seeing different places and getting fresh air and exercise and is great for your mental health. I am living proof that anyone can do this I would recommend it to anyone to get themselves out of a rut.”

She has no plans to hang up her trainers yet and is already planning next year’s fundraising and is asking people to make suggestions for her next challenge along with a donation.

She added: “I can’t wait to do my next fundraiser.  So, if anyone would like to suggest something I can look at it for next year. Whatever has the most suggestions I will go ahead with, within reason. But I don’t like heights so I won’t jump out of a plane or do a bungee jump or skydive – I draw the line there. Whatever I do needs to have my feet on the ground.”

To donate to Michelle’s fundraiser and suggest her next challenge click here or to undertake your own fundraising challenge in the New Year, click here.