Paul Carey
24 Peaks Challenge for Pancreatic Cancer UK, In Memory of Trevor Barry
Fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK
Story
Post-Challenge Update - 05/07/10
Well, some of you may have heard by now that we had to abandon Day 2 in the face of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. Yesterday we were all majorly hacked off at having to call the Challenge to a halt and whilst I knew we had made the right decision, I couldn't stop myself thinking that perhaps we should have carried on. Particularly as we were doing this for charity and we had all put so much effort into the preparation (come ...on, I spent a month off the beer, how dedicated is that?!).
However, a new day now and some new info plus clearer thinking...... There's a guy who goes up Helvellyn most days come rain, snow or shine to record the weather conditions for a Lakeland weather service aimed at mountaineers and walkers (see http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/interactive/2010/mar/18/helvellyn-mountains-weatherman-bennett-lakedistrict ). Gav spoke to him this morning - he said it was actually his day off yesterday, but his colleague went up and recorded 90+mph gusts (92mph max). He said we would have been very, very foolish to have carried on with Day 2 and if it had been an official event (we organised this one ourselves with no outside support), it would have been cancelled. Helvellyn was one of the peaks we were due to do on Sunday and it is very exposed. We would have been risking serious injury. So it was without doubt the right decision to make. And it's not as if we haven't suffered for the sponsorship money! We were out in the mountains for 18 hours on Day 1, getting down at virtually midnight. We were all putting up with some pretty nasty aches and pains (the knees take a tremendous pounding on those steep and rocky descents) but were all ready and willing to take on Day 2. Perhaps the hardest part of the whole Challenge is convincing yourself that you CAN get out there on Day 2 and once you've got the 1st ascent of Day 2 out of the way (a difficult Grade 1 Scramble up Red Screes), in the right conditions it's relatively easy from there.So, I think the points I'm trying to make are a) we had no choice but to call it a day and b) we had already completed the hardest part.....
Cheers folks
Paul
Offline Corporate Donations:
Stephenson Harwood - £500
RSA Insurance Group - £350
Ince & Co International Law Firm - £250
Meridian Risk Solutions Ltd - £100
Offline Personal Donations:
N North - £150
P Wilson - £100
P West - £10
D Howie - £120
Trev, or Dave as he was to some of us, lost his 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer in January this year. He was just 35 years old! Those of you who knew Trev will be aware of what a kind and generous person he was and even those of you who didn't, may well have heard us talk fondly of our friendship with him.
Trev was one of those rare people in life who touch so many. Not only was he the best husband, father, Son and Brother, he was also a fantastic friend who will always be missed.
Inspired by our friendship with Trev, on 3rd and 4th July this year a group of us will be honouring his memory by undertaking a sponsored challenge which has been described as “arguably the toughest and most rewarding hill walking challenge in the UK today” and which will "push your mental and physical strength to the limit" – The 24 Peaks Challenge. Frankly, use of the term “hill” underplays it. These are proper Lakeland mountains. The aim is simple: to climb 24 of the Lake District’s most famous peaks each over 2400ft in height within 24 hours total walking time.
A few of you may recall that some of us have attempted this challenge before. Others will also remember that we didn’t all complete it.... A testament to how difficult it is! After consulting with Trev’s family, we have chosen the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK to be the beneficiaries of the sponsorship. Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of any cancer. Pancreatic Cancer UK is determined to make a difference by providing support and information to those affected and by raising awareness and funding research. It provides advocacy for patients and families and lobbying to achieve higher priority for pancreatic cancer. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now. Thank you very much,Paul, Alex, Arabella, Nick, Geof, Steve and Trev’s family
OFFLINE CORPORATE DONATIONS:
Stephenson Harwood - £500
RSA Insurance Group - £350
Ince & Co International Law Firm - £250