Mini Up A Mountain: A Tribute to Francis McFarlane

A group of friends and family came together to hike up Hay Bluff with a MINI car, scaling the mountain and constructing it at the summit, only to deconstruct and carry it back down, all in memory of Francis McFarlane, a lifelong MINI enthusiast who passed away suddenly last year. The team of 24, including a dog, battled through heavy winds and rain to reach the summit, raising over £18,000 for Melanoma Focus in the process.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Mini Up A Mountain team completed a 15-mile hike, carrying a 12kg MINI car panel, to raise awareness and funds for Melanoma Focus.
  • The challenge was organized to coincide with Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May.
  • Francis McFarlane, the inspiration behind the challenge, was a 51-year-old Shropshire resident who passed away due to melanoma.
  • He was a local primary school music teacher and a lifelong MINI mechanic and enthusiast.
  • The Mini Up A Mountain team has raised almost £18,000 for Melanoma Focus since the event.
  • Melanoma Focus is a UK-based charity that develops and funds research, documents, and guidelines for melanoma, and provides patient support.
  • The challenge was supported by Melanoma Focus, and participants can still contribute to the fundraising total on the Mini Up A Mountain JustGiving page.
  • The event aimed to raise awareness for melanoma and skin cancer, and to honor Francis's memory and legacy.

Statistics:

  • The Mini Up A Mountain team hiked 15 miles, carrying MINI car panels weighing up to 12kg each.
  • The team consisted of 24 members, including a dog.
  • Francis McFarlane passed away at the age of 51 due to melanoma.
  • The Mini Up A Mountain team has raised almost £18,000 for Melanoma Focus.

Sources:

  • Image 1: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUwZjBmYjdhLWQ1NTktNGE3ZC05YWQ4LWU1YTc2ZjA2OWRlNTpmYWIzM2UxZS1kNjcxLTRiNzQtYWY0ZS1mMWEzNTlkODM0YTk=.jpg
  • Image 2: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg4NTQ0NWYzLWQxY2QtNDhhZC1iOTE1LWZkZjc3Y2QyODBmZDpmMDUxMTAwOC03ZWU5LTQxZTMtODZkOS00Mjc5ODcxNjU0OTM=.jpg
  • Image 3: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRlN2E3MDUxLTlmMzEtNDQ4YS04NjhjLTI2NGJiYzUxMTBkZDpmYTZjODM1Ni02ZGFmLTQxNWUtYjM5Ny1hNmZkMzMyMDJjZmM=.jpg
  • Image 4: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI3MTg5ZTY0LTM0NzktNGYyMC04ZDhiLTI4NzBhOTRhMTIxYjpkMmRiZTEzZC04M2ZjLTQyNWEtYTBjMy0wNDFkMTM4OWYxMTQ=.jpg
  • Image 5: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIyNTBkMDhlLWQ1ZmUtNDBkOS04Y2Q1LWRiYWJiYmFjYmQ4NzpjY2YyNTliMC02ODQxLTQ2ZGMtYTMwMi0wNGYwMmY1NWE3Yjc=.jpg