Cowbridge group climb three Welsh peaks in honour of friend lost to suicide
By Ellyn Wright
21st Jun 2021 | Local News
A group of friends from Cowbridge have completed the Welsh Three Peaks challenge to fundraise for a mental health charity, after the loss of their friend Naomi Scarano.
Naomi took her own life in September 2019, after years of tackling mental health issues.
An amazing friend, sister, daughter and auntie, Naomi (or Nom to her friends) had a great sense of humour, an honest approach to life and a uniquely kind and caring nature.
Hollie Bottrill, Nicola Harrison (née Dobson), Claire James (née Neudegg), Laura Hargroves (née Wedlake) Chloe Payne (née Baxendale), Faye Coe (née Zaslona), Abigail Smith, Naomi's sister, and Katie Bullon (née Andrews) all grew up in Cowbridge, attending school together.
The friends set out to complete the challenge of summiting Snowdon, Cader Idris and Pen Y Fan in 24 hours and raise £3,000 for the Scar Cover Up Freedom Fund (SCUFF) but have reached more than double their target.
"We raised over £6,500, covered 55,000 steps, walked up the equivalent of 500 flights of stairs, and the challenge took us 19 hours," said Katie.
"We started at 5am and ended at midnight in the rain and wind, in the dark at Pen y fan, where Nom's other sisters Amy and Hannah met us.
"It was emotional and tough, but our love for each other and Nom got us all through the whole thing, and with no injuries.
"She was with us every step of the way and it was so special to have Naomi's sister Abi with us for the whole thing."
SCUFF is a small non-for-profit that aims to support those struggling with self-harm, those caring for people who are self-harming and survivors of self-harm.
It currently funds tattoos to cover up self-harm scars, offers training to those caring for people who self-harm and can signpost and support those currently self-harming.
The money raised through Nom's Challenge will help around 40 people move on with their lives after self-harm.
"Thank you so much to everyone who sent us messages and donations, it means the world," said Katie.
"And thank you to The Bear hotel for starting our journey off with a Prosecco lunch in honour of Naomi, after all those years she worked there.
"The team there were genuinely emotional to share the start with us. It was amazing."
Visit the fundraising page for Nom's Challenge here
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