Fosterer's gruelling arctic challenge for Gloucester charity

A foster parent is taking on a gruelling arctic challenge in support of a charity that works with young people affected by crime and gangs.

Anya Eames, from Frampton on Severn, will be cycling, skiing and walking through Finland, Norway and Sweden, to raise money for Increase The Peace.

She said: "There will be dark moments... but thinking of raising money for the charity will get me through."

Ms Eames hopes to raise about £1,000.

"It is gruelling, but I've got the mental attitude that I can just keep going, and I will keep going," she said.

Ms Eames is currently a foster carer with her husband looking after two teenage boys from Gloucester.

She said she hopes that some of the money raised will also go toward reopening and running the local youth club in Frampton on Severn, which was closed several years ago.

"The training we were given [as foster parents] made me realise how kids can make wrong choices and can so easily turn to crime if we don't catch them early," she said.

"As the foster parent of two boys, this issue is close to my heart, which is why I wanted to support Increase the Peace."

Ms Eames said she was made especially aware of the issues affecting young people and knife crime, when 16-year-old Ramarni Crosby, who lived in her village, was stabbed to death in a gang fight in Gloucester in 2021.

She said it was vital that young people have "somewhere to congregate" - such as youth clubs.

Increase the Peace, based in Gloucestershire, delivers positive activities and opportunities through outreach work, workshops and mentoring for young people aged between the ages of seven and 25.

Charity director, Delroy Ellis, said: "We are very grateful to Anya for her fundraising, she is an inspiration.

"The monies raised will go towards the vital work we do in knife crime and mentoring children within the county."

The Arctic Circle challenge that Ms Eames will take on has three stages, one in each arctic country, and three disciplines.

The first day involves cycling 19 miles (30km) on a mountain 'fat' bike with specially adapted oversized tyres to cope with the terrain.

The next day Ms Eames will be skiing 13 miles (21km), followed on the final day by walking a further 13 miles (21km) using snowshoes.

The challenge takes place from 16 to 18 March.

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