Wetheringsett woman Jennifer Duffee trains for 12 gruelling challenges in aid of charity

A DARING Suffolk student is taking on 12 sporting challenges this year to raise money for charity and increase the profile of women in sport.

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Jennifer Duffee, from Wetheringsett, is embarking on 12 gruelling challenges whilst completing her third year at Brighton University studying Sport and Exercise Science (BSc).

The challenges include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skydiving, bungee jumping, running a half marathon and competing in a triathlon.

Miss Duffee, a former Hartismere Sixth Form student, said: “Quite a lot of people 
have told me I am a bit mad. I am the vice captain of the university’s hockey team and we are training three times a week and playing matches as well, so I have to get the right balance between my work and social life.

“I’m really passionate about volunteering, I like to give my time up for people and I really want to make my mark this year, it’s a big step for me.

“All the charities I am raising money for mean something for me: a friend of my mum’s passed away at St Elizabeth Hospice and I spent time there seeing all the good work which was really inspiring to me. I wanted to do something for them.

“I am doing the triathlon event as one of my closest friends at university and a friend’s sibling suffers from dyspraxia. I want to raise money and awareness for it. All the charities have significant meaning for me, as some of them are supporting my friends and family.

“I will try and do one challenge a month, some are summer sports and some are between spring and the autumn, it all depends on how it works out.”

The challenges include a 60-mile cycle ride round Suffolk’s coast line, a six-mile race for Sport Relief, in Debenham, and a five kilometre Race For Life in Eastbourne.

The 20-year-old has four unconfirmed events which may include taking on the Ipswich Half Marathon, the Beachy Head Marathon and the London-2-Brighton Mini Run.

She is aiming to run the Eastbourne Half Marathon in a full speedway race suit after taking up the sport as well as rally car racing, recently.

Miss Duffee is keen to highlight the profile of women in sport and she said: “I cannot run fast, I am trying to run a marathon and if I need to walk it, I will. It is not about how fast you can do it, it’s about doing it.”

She has been heavily involved in voluntary sporting roles and has always been a keen sports player since studying at Wetheringsett VCP School and Debenham High School, where she was head girl.

There will be extra pressure in the forthcoming challenges as she completes her final year of her degree course.

She added: “Completing these challenges, as well as completing my degree is going to be a massive challenge for me.

“I’m currently training very hard to be able to complete these challenges successfully in addition to fundraising as much money as possible for these amazing charities.”

Miss Duffee is aiming to carry on her studies when she completes her university course by enrolling on a PhD psychology course, specialising in motorsport psychology.