Gill marks end of 35 challenge

Marketing officer Gill Barker completed her 35th and final challenge before lockdown in March by running, swimming and cycling her way from Chatham in Kent, where she was born, to Leeds Town Hall.

Gill’s incredible 20-month experience has seen her complete the Honolulu Marathon, run the length of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, row a marathon and cycle up Mont Ventoux - a mountain included in the Tour de France.

Other challenges, such as taking part in a live radio interview on BBC Radio Leeds and an escape room game have stretched her mentally, and she’s learned new skills like skiing, surfing and climbing.

Gill has now raised more than £4,000 for two charities close to her heart - Yorkshire Cancer Research and Leeds Mind.

Gill, who works at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Looking back, it’s been a very busy 20 months, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

“The whole point of ‘35 before 35’ was to start doing things out of my comfort zone and enjoying life again.

“I’ve always wanted to do all the challenges I’ve done, but I previously would have held back by feelings of self-doubt, failure and what people would think of me.

“So I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved against the negative self-talk.

“I decided to donate half the money raised from the challenges to Yorkshire Cancer Research as I have a family history of cancer.

“Most recently I’ve seen two friends go through it and I felt so helpless.

“This has hopefully been my way of showing my support and helping others in a similar situation to them.”

Now that her adventure is over, Gill wants to raise more funds.