HAVING already raised nearly £500 for a friend who was left paralysed by meningitis, dedicated Gary Foxley is preparing for his biggest challenge yet.
Gary, 20, plans to scale Britain's three highest mountains to raise money for the Meningitis Trust in honour of his lifelong friend Jonathan Brough, who was left paralysed from the neck down after contracting the disease last year.
He needs a minimum of £400 to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge and has already raised more than £300.
"I'm almost prepared for the challenge and I'm really looking forward to it," said Gary, who has been friends with Jonathan since the pair attended Minchinhampton Primary School together.
During the 36 hour challenge between July 11 and 13, Gary will climb a total of more than 10,600ft as he takes on Mt Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland.
"I have done my Duke of Edinburgh awards and climbed in the Black Mountains in Wales before and I enjoyed it so much that I thought why not take this on and have fun while raising some money for a good friend," added Gary, of Knapp Lane, Hyde.
On Christmas Eve, Gary, his brothers Simon and David and friend Ben Goodwin, who all play in Nailsworth Silver Brass Band, raised more than £300 towards an eye-recognition computer for Jonathan by playing carols during the Christingle service at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton.
The day before they raised £60 by playing carols to customers at Wyevale garden centre in Nailsworth, where Gary works.
"I would like thank everyone who made a donation and special thanks must go to the Rev Michael Irving of Minchinhampton parish church for his support at the Christingle service, where half the collection was donated to Jonathan," said Gary who also completed a sponsored swim recently for the same cause.
Jonathan, a former Marling and Downfield student from Minchinhampton, now has the £15000 computer; primarily funded by the primary care trust, which he can operate with his eyes, meaning he can send e-mails to family and friends.
He is also using it to study an on-line Open University course in marine biology and would like to attend university in the future.
Jonathan contracted the disease while training to become a ski instructor and race coach in the Canadian Rockies during his gap year. He is currently in a specialist spinal injury unit at Salisbury Hospital.
Jonathan's father Jon said he was incredibly proud of how well Jonathan was coping.
"Anything that anyone can do to raise awareness of this disease so that it can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible is amazing" he added.
"Jonathan's illness has had such a huge impact on all our lives so we are very greatful to Gary for what he is doing, good luck to him."
Sponsor Gary by visiting www.justgiving.com/threepeaksgaryfoxley
