Friends' Three Peaks Challenge in memory of Guy Francis (From York Press)

Friends' Three Peaks Challenge in memory of Guy Francis

8:45am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

TEN friends of an inspirational young man are marking the tenth anniversary of his death from bone cancer by taking on the national Three Peaks Challenge.

The group – Paul Barnes, Chris Baker, Anton Bell, James Bullock, Billy Cuthbert, Andrew Fletcher, Richard Fletcher, Ian Low, Luke Richardson and Dave Robinson – will attempt to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours at the weekend.

They will be attempting to raise money for the York-based Guy Francis Bone Cancer Research Fund, which was founded by Guy before his death.

Guy’s father, Mike, of Wheldrake, said that most of the group, now in their 30s, grew up in the village and met Guy at primary school, at Cubs or the village football team, and continued on to Fulford School.

He said Guy was diagnosed with bone cancer just before his 18th birthday and their support as he went through all the gruelling treatment with chemo and numerous operations was a massive help to him.

“Every time he returned from hospital, Guy managed to go out with them and to continue to be one of the lads,” he said.

Guy’s best friend, Paul Barnes, who has organised the challenge, said Guy had been a true inspiration as well as a dear friend.

“Growing up next door to each other since we were little boys, we spent many a day out on our push-bikes, making dens, playing on the skateboards, or participating in a mixture of golf, rugby, athletics or football in our back gardens,” he said.

“We were both lucky enough to be in a large social circle of friends and Guy was certainly the one who would bring this group together, suggest fun ideas, hold the best parties, and basically, being the lynch-pin for our group of mates.”

• The G-Team can be sponsored by going to www.justgiving.com or by JustTextGiving – Text in PEAK10 £10 to 70070.