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Harrogate family take on Yorkshire Three Peaks to honour late mum

Thursday, 12 March 2026 16:14

Kirby Small (left) with family and friends on a practice hike at Pen Y Ghent.

Two Harrogate siblings are set to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge for charity to honour the memory of their late mum.

Kirby Small and her brother Dylan will complete the 24-mile challenge on 23rd May alongside family members and close friends in memory of their mum, Melissa Franklin, who passed away in May last year.

The fundraiser will support the British Heart Foundation, a charity that held special meaning for Melissa, who had previously completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks several times herself to raise money for the cause.

As the first anniversary of her passing approaches, the family wanted to mark the moment by continuing the fundraising work she cared about.

Kirby Small said:

"Our mum climbed the Yorkshire Three Peaks multiple times to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, and it was something she was incredibly proud of.

“As the anniversary of losing her approaches, we wanted to do something meaningful in her honour.

“Dylan and I, alongside some of our family and close friends, will be taking on the challenge to follow in her footsteps and continue supporting a charity that meant so much to her.

“We hope to raise £5,500 and celebrate the generosity and determination she showed to so many people."

The group hopes to raise £100 for every year of Melissa’s life. At the time of writing, the fundraiser has already raised £2,405 towards the target.

Melissa may also be remembered locally as the founder of Heel The Sole, the footcare shop that previously operated on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

Those wishing to support the fundraiser can do so through the online donation page: https://gofund.me/5496e0cce

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