The family of a Parkinson's charity founder has taken on an amazing challenge trying every Olympic sport in his memory.
So far, the Boxalls have competed in 21 out of the of the 32 events that will feature at the Paris games - due to start later this week.
The Rickmansworth residents say it has been a “wonderful” experience that has brought them closer together as they have fired rifles, climbed walls, kayaked, and more. The seven of them even pulled in friends and clubs inn their wider community for some sports including a game of rugby with around 50 people.
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Recent events taken on by mum Caroline, dad Chris, and their children Megan, 31, Beth, 29, Emily, 25, Katie, 21, and Charlie, 15, include golf, judo, sailing, and fencing but they have been making their way through the challenge for four years.
The original plan was to complete the list by the Paris opening ceremony on Friday (July 26) but this was pushed back when the family began inviting more people to get involved so that they could maximise community participation and fundraising opportunities.
“It’s a really good way of getting people playing sport together and just celebrating Uncle Tom’s life,” said Emily.
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“We’ve always been a really sporty family, often completing little sporting challenges at Christmas or on birthdays.
“This became sort of an extension of that but in a more organised way. We’ve absolutely loved it.
“A lot of the fun comes from trying out sports we have had no experience of. It's been a really great way to connect with the community.”
So far, 'The Olympic Mission' ('TOM') has raised £3,278 for Rickmansworth charity Cure Parkinson’s. Caroline's brother Tom Isaacs set up the organisation after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his mid-20s as he "dedicated his life" to finding a cure.
He carried the Olympic torch himself in 2012 and raised around £350,000 for research into the disease by walking the length of Britain’s coastline in 365 days from April 2002.
Emily added that the challenge was something Tom, who died unexpectedly in 2017 at the age of 49, would have “loved.”
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