Three peaks challenge in memory of woman who died of sepsis

Paul Billington-Dykes, from Penyffordd, climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa in 24 hours and 44 minutes on June 20 and 21.

Though this was 44 minutes past the target time, Paul was determined to complete it in memory of Emma Murray, a Rhyl woman who was married to Paul’s best friend, Liam.

Emma died of sepsis at the age of 33 on December 27, 2023, having been “on the brink of triumph over cancer”, which she had been diagnosed with in April of last year.

Emma Murray (Image: Paul Billington-Dykes)

Paul has raised more than £8,000 for the Enfys ward at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan, which cared for Emma.

He said: "We were only over the time due to a two-hour traffic delay in Glasgow, and then again on the M6; otherwise, we'd have smashed it.

"We did Ben Nevis in five hours and five minutes, Scafell Pike in three hours, and Yr Wyddfa in three hours and 20 minutes.

"The day was amazing but exhausting. I was completely broken by the end of the 24 hours, and we couldn't have done it without my wife, Jessica, and father-in-law, Dave driving us.

"Heading into Yr Wyddfa, I was severely dehydrated as I'd forgotten to take enough fluids while climbing Scafell Pike.

"My friends rallied round and made sure I had enough fluids and electrolytes on the bus, so I was hydrated enough for Yr Wyddfa."

Paul Billington-Dykes (Image: Paul Billington-Dykes)

Emma, who Paul described as a "fun and bubbly" woman who was "very close to her family", had just finished her treatment for lymphoma when her husband, Liam, noticed she began to appear unwell again just after Christmas last year.

Paul had been best man at their wedding in Mexico in November 2022, and said he and Liam, who he has known for about 25 years, are “like brothers”.

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He also hoped to raise awareness of sepsis, as well as donations for Glan Clwyd, through his efforts, and said much of the money he receives will go towards redecorating the Enfys ward’s “family room”.

Paul added: "I thought of Emma quite a lot, especially coming down Scafell Pike when my legs were in agonising pain, and kept reminding myself of the reasons why I was doing this endurance challenge.

"Yr Wyddfa was definitely the hardest in the end due to the severe weather conditions on the day, but we had beautiful sunshine on the other two peaks."