Say the words “Captain Fantastic” and every Giants fan will say the name Danny Brough.
But who would you think of with the title “Wonder Woman”?
After last week’s HGSA meeting, there can be no other person than Jenna Brough, Danny’s wife.
For some years now Jenna has been cajoling other Super League wives through her ‘Ladies of the League’ into giving up some of their time and a lot of their energy in order to undertake such activities as climbing the country’s Three Peaks – all in the name of charity.
Well, in 2015 Jenna decided that she would join the Steve Prescott Foundation’s jaunt up a little hill in order to play a game of rugby.
“Kilimanjaro? Didn’t sound that difficult!”
Anyone who follows Jenna on Facebook will have seen how much training she put in: running, gym sessions, air-pressure (or lack of) chambers, and much more.
She even undertook an Olympic-style triathlon. (She was absolutely devastated when, after seeing that all the men had finished, there were no other women in sight. Disappointed, she managed to complete the event – only to discover that she was the winner of the ladies race!).
However, nothing she had done beforehand prepared her for the trials and tribulations of the actual ‘jaunt’.
Here’s what she had to say after returning home:
“Finally, I’m home after a gruelling nine days away taking on my biggest challenge yet, Mt Kilimanjaro, also breaking the world record and playing an 80-minute rugby league game on the crater of Kilimanjaro.
“The challenge for me was very hard, physically, mentally and emotionally. I did a nine-day challenge over six days and slept at the crater with altitude sickness. I would never like to take on altitude again after the illnesses I faced whilst being at high altitude.
“Each day got gradually worse and by day three or four I couldn’t lift my head up straight. I had a pounding headache and was constantly sick. I couldn’t even face to eat any food. I lost my appetite totally and so did many others.
“By day five of the summit attempt the sickness and headaches got worse, I couldn’t physically stand up and had to be given oxygen whilst sleeping on the crater to pull me round. The lifesaver I think was oxygen and ginger tea!
“On day six we reached the summit and played the rugby game, then had to face a nine-hour decent down to the gate.
“I absolutely loved the camaraderie between the team and couldn’t have wished to spend nine days with any other people but these. But I just hated every minute of the challenge.”
Jenna also stated that whilst out in Africa she swore she would never do altitude ever again.
This year she has signed up for the Foundation’s trek to Everest Base Camp – higher than Kilimanjaro!
HGSA has offered Jenna all the help we can give – and we urge the people of Huddersfield to get behind her also.
Watch this space for her Just Giving page.
Thanks you Jenna for a truly inspirational evening.
Don’t forget that this Saturday (January 16), there will be a Rugby League Collectors Fair at the University’s Heritage Quay. It will run from 10.30 am until 1.00pm. Entry is free.
The Fans’ Forum is on January, 28 in the Fantastic Media Suite. Bring your questions for Paul Anderson, Jerry McGillvary, Ryan Hinchliffe and Robert Hicks to answer.
