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Challenge to take pair from mountain peak to palace

Carys Nally
BBC News, Bristol
Henry Quinlan Henry and Damian pictured in a rowing boat, rowing through the water. Henry is sitting in the front and is wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts. Damian is sitting behind him wearing a blue T-shirt and a grey cap. They're both wearing sunglasses. Henry Quinlan
Henry Quinlan and his father-in-law Damian Lawrence will row across the English Channel as part of their challenge

A son is attempting to journey from a mountain peak to a palace in a challenge inspired by his late father.

Andrew Quinlan died in September 2022 - six months after he was diagnosed with retroperitoneal liposarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer.

He was an ex-marine and later went on to be the founder of Somerset cider business, Orchard Pig.

His son, Henry Quinlan, started the Peak2Palace challenge alongside his father-in-law, Damian Lawrence, earlier.

They are beginning with a climb of 4,000m (13,123 ft) up Mont Blanc, followed by a 550-mile (549km) cycle across France.

The pair will then row 90 miles (144km) across the English Channel, before running almost 100 miles (160km) – the equivalent to nearly four marathons - to the gates of Buckingham Palace.

Henry Quinlan A man smiling in a selfie wearing sunglasses, a hard climbing hat and warm weather coat. The background is entirely white, with the snow on the ground blending into the white/grey sky.Henry Quinlan
Henry Quinlan at the beginning of the challenge on Mont Blanc

Henry said the challenge was exactly the kind of thing his dad enjoyed doing.

Mr Quinlan was in the Royal Marines for eight years and would often tell the family about his excursions.

"He cycled and ran around Australia in the 1980s and I'd always heard about that story. He really inspired me," Henry said.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Bristol and is originally from Glastonbury, said his family was devastated when Mr Quinlan was diagnosed with cancer in April 2022.

"By the time he was finally diagnosed he had a tumour the size of a rugby ball in his stomach," he said.

Mr Quinlan underwent surgery two months after the diagnosis, but the cancer returned within three months and he died five weeks later at 59 years old.

Henry Quinlan Henry and Andrew smile at the camera in front of a colourful wall. They are holding boxes of vegetables and wearing aprons with Earth Fare written on the front. Henry Quinlan
Henry and his father owned business Earth Fare together

The Peak2Palace challenge comes five years after Henry and a group of friends cycled a pedalo across the Atlantic Ocean, raising almost £250,000 for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust.

Henry said he was glad to be completing the challenge with his wife's step-father, who has climbed Mont Blanc twice.

"Damian and I are very close - I was planning this with my friends and they had to drop out for various reasons.

"I was with Damian when I heard and asked him to join me over a few beers," he said.

The pair are aiming to raise £25,000 for Sarcoma UK.

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