Caroline Flack’s pals Olly Murs and Bradley Simmonds complete their charity trek as singer reveals they’ve named a peak after the presenter following her tragic suicide
- For help call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Caroline Flack’s friends including Olly Murs and Bradley Simmonds completed their charity trek on Sunday, climbing 17 peaks in two days.
The group of the presenter’s closest friends took on the challenge, originally hoping to climb 24 peaks in 24 hours, to raise money for The Samaritans after she was found at her home on February 15 2020 after taking her own life aged 40.
Sadly the group were unable to complete the total 24 due to adverse weather conditions but were still able to raise more than £20,000 for the charity.
Tribute: Caroline Flack ‘s friends including Olly Murs and Bradley Simmonds completed their charity trek on Sunday, climbing 17 peaks in two days
In a touching tribute to their beloved friend, the group have been writing ‘C’ at the top of every peak they reached in Caroline’s lipstick.
One of the peak’s they climbed on Sunday did not have a name and they decided to rename it ‘Flack’s Peak’, writing its new name in her lipstick.
Taking to social media, several of those taking part in the challenge, including singer Olly Murs, Caroline’s personal trainer Bradley Simmonds and hair stylist Lou Teasdale, all shared clips from the top of the peaks as they battled the wind and rain.
Despite the heatwave across the UK, the group didn’t get a glimpse of the sunshine during their climb.
Amazing achievement: The group of the presenter’s closest friends took on the challenge, originally hoping to climb 24 peaks in 24 hours
Honest: Olly explained to his followed on Sunday morning that it no longer looked likely but they hoped to do another seven
Brave: The group battled adverse weather conditions to raise money for The Samaritans after Caroline was found at her home in February 2020 after taking her own life
Surrounded by clouds Olly told his 3.5million followers it was ‘freezing’ as the strong winds could be heard in the background of his video.
Explaining how their knees and feet were sore after the intense trek, Olly said it was all worth it and ‘we’re doing it for Caz’.
As they made their way up on Saturday the group, including Mollie Grosberg, Lou Teasdale, Bradley, and Nana Acheampong, smiled from ear to ear and Olly, 37, even broke out in song to help motivate them.
But day one of the trip also saw several of the trekkers becoming overwhelmed with emotion as they remembered Caroline, with hair stylist Lou Teasdale telling her 4.3million followers she was already crying early on in the day.
Heartwarming: In a touching tribute to their beloved friend the group have been writing ‘C’ at the top of every peak they reached in Caroline’s lipstick
Loving friends: One of the peak’s they climbed on Sunday did not have a name and they decided to rename it ‘Flack’s Peak’, writing its new name in her lipstick
Touching: To document their treak, the group drew Caroline’s initials on each peak with lipstick
Success: Taking to social media, several of those taking part in the challenge, including hair stylist Lou Teasdale, shared clips from the top of the peaks as they battled the wind and rain
Bradley said they had tackled seven peaks in their first day within 12 hours, including the highest peak in England – Scarfell Pike.
Captioning a series of pictures, including one of himself and Olly posing in front of the impressive views, Bradley wrote: ’12 hours was tough but we dug deep and had a great laugh, sharing many memories of out favourite Caroline.’
The group appeared to be having a wonderful time together as they shared insight into their camaraderie on social media, including Bradley sharing a clip of Olly releasing wind after a long day of walking.
Before they set off for their first day at around 6am, Bradley also shared a clip of the group fuelling up with their breakfast in the morning.
Amazing: Caroline Flack’s friends including Olly Murs and Bradley Simmonds began their first day of their charity trek climbing 24 peaks in 24 hours on Saturday
Heartbreaking: The group of the 40-year-old presenter’s closest friends, including Bradley Simmonds, took on the challenge to raise money for The Samaritans
He joked along with Olly that he was stocking up on protein and carbs as the singer explained he was trying to wake himself before the long day ahead.
After the day of trekking, the Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker shared a clip of another grey-haired man who had taken part in the trek.
Unfortunately, he appeared to have forgotten to apply suncream on his legs which were bright pink with sunburn expect for a white line around his ankles where his socks had been.
Speaking about his motivations for setting up the fundraising mission, Bradley said: ‘I was Caroline’s personal trainer and good friend. I was devastated by the loss and still am.
‘I know how much exercise helped Caroline with her mental health so I wanted to create a challenge where her family and friends can come together and do something powerful in her memory.
Beautiful: In a touching tribute to their beloved friend, the group wrote ‘C’ at the top of every peak they reached in Caroline’s lipstick
Teamwork: As they made their way up the group, including Mollie Grosberg, Lou Teasdale and Nana Acheampong, laughed and Olly, 37, even broke out in song to help motivate them
Emotional: Day one of the trip also saw several of the trekkers becoming overwhelmed with emotion as they remembered Caroline
Impressive: Bradley revealed the group tackled seven peaks in their first day within 12 hours, including the highest peak in England – Scarfell Pike
Early wake up call: The group appeared to be having a wonderful time together as they shared insight into their camaraderie on social media
Raw: Hair stylist Lou Teasdale told her 4.3million followers she was already crying early on in the day
Incredible: The group made sure to take the time to write C and CF at the top of every peak they reached on their first day of the trek
‘Hopefully this challenge will raise awareness for others to seek support whilst also raising money for Samaritans.’
Olly also shared his involvement with fans on Instagram, writing: ‘Hi guys, I’ll be taking part in #Climb4Caroline in memory of Cazza this weekend.
‘A few of us will be trekking 24 peaks in 24 hours to help raise awareness and hopefully help raise vital funds for leading suicide prevention charity @samaritanscharity. If you’d like to support click on the link in my bio!’
On Climb For Caroline, the Love Island host’s family said: ‘Thank you to everyone taking part and to those at home who are supporting us.
‘Good luck and thank you for taking the time to raise vital funds and awareness for Samaritans.’
Oh dear! After the day of trekking, the Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker shared a clip of another grey-haired man who had taken part in the trek and got a sock sunburn
‘Still smilin’: Olly and Lou were close friends with Caroline Flack before her death in February 2020
Breakfast: Before they set off for their first day at around 6am, Bradley also shared a clip of the group fuelling up with their breakfast in the morning
‘We keep going’: The group kept themselves motivated throughout the day and shared clips of their journey on social media
Sarah Ball, Head of Fundraising at Samaritans added: ‘We are extremely grateful to Bradley for choosing to raise vital funds for Samaritans, which will help us be there at any time of day or night to support anyone who is struggling to cope.
‘Suicide is complex and every single death by suicide is a tragedy that devastates families, friends and communities. We wish Bradley and Caroline’s friends and family the best of luck on the hills with their fundraising challenge.’
Caroline was found dead on February 15, aged 40, the day after hearing the Crown Prosecution Service would go ahead with a trial for allegedly attacking her model and former tennis player boyfriend Lewis in December 2019.
Back in August, coroner Mary Hassell gave a verdict of suicide, saying: ‘I am entirely satisfied she intended to cause her own death. She hanged herself.
Motivating: At one point X Factor star Olly broke out in song, changing up the lyrics to Stevie Wonder’s Superstitious
Heartbreaking: Speaking about his motivations for setting up the fundraising mission, Bradley (pictured with Nana) said: ‘I was Caroline’s personal trainer and good friend. I was devastated by the loss and still am.’
Proud: After their hard work the group were able to reach seven peaks in an impressive 12 hours and Bradley (pictured with Mollie Grosberg) said Caroline would be proud
‘I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty, and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity – it would all come down upon her. To me, that’s it in essence.’
It came after her mother, Christine, blasted a senior Met Police officer for appealing against the CPS’s decision to give her daughter a caution after her arrest despite officers finding her at the crime scene with an injury caused by self-harm.
Accusing Detective Inspector Lauren Bateman of treating her more harshly due to her celebrity status, Mrs Flack told the inquest: ‘She (Caroline) cut her arm (to cause serious injury to herself)… and you were putting an appeal in to get her prosecuted, you never bothered to see her.
Friendship: Bradley shared a picture of himself Caroline after the first day of trekking, captioning it ‘I’m sure you’ve been watching down on us today’
Touching: Speaking about the trek, Bradley said he is ‘still devastated’ by the loss of his close friend Caroline (pictured together in May 2019)
Tragedy: Back in August, coroner Mary Hassell gave a verdict of suicide, saying: ‘I am entirely satisfied she intended to cause her own death. She hanged herself
‘If it had been… an ordinary person, you wouldn’t have prosecuted. I see domestic abuse and I just think you should be disgusted with yourself so there is nothing we can do to bring Caroline back.
‘I hope in hindsight you do regret this. This girl killed herself because you put an appeal through.’
The ‘appeal’ referenced an initial decision by prosecutors to issue Flack with a caution, before DI Bateman, the senior Met officer in charge when the celebrity was taken into custody, applied for a formal charge instead. The final decision would have been made by a senior lawyer.
For help call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Upsetting: Following her death, a slew of stars and pals flooded social media with tributes
Source: Read Full Article