June 21st 3 Peaks Challenge
6 months ago I had what seemed like a bright idea at the time, namely attempting the 3 Peaks challenge (climbing Ben Nevis the highest mountain in Scotland, Scafell Pike the highest mountain in England and Snowdon the highest mountain in Wales, all within 24 hours) in aid of Cancer Research UK. The concept quickly gathered momentum with friends and colleagues so that at 5pm on the 20th June I found myself, along with nine daring others, at the foot of Ben Nevis preparing to start the clock and conquer the first of the mountains. Twenty three hours and fourteen minutes of exhaustion and exhilaration later, we found ourselves standing at the bottom of Snowdon with all three mountains under our collective belt.
The group was comprised of :
- Myself, Gil Riley, busy horse Vet, husband to Emma and proud father to two year old Olivia who kept me fit for the task by having me chase round after her!
- Michael Colgan, busy mixed practice Vet in Ashbourne who is a keen jogger and fellrunner and connoisseur of local Indian restaurants!
- Sian Bennett,  a riding instructor in Derbyshire who proved working with horses keeps you very fit!
- Johnny Guy, Vet from Northern Ireland, currently working in the Emerald Isle and who flew in especially for the challenge
- Ellie Rogers, a medical drug rep and horse owner and veteran Derby 10K runner! Responsible with Sian for keeping the boys in order
-  Dave Benham from Tamworth, a landscape gardener and the grandfather of the group!
- Peter Cartlidge, a furniture manufacturer who had plenty of climbing experience and wore the wackiest trousers!
-Darren Cook, a welder from Cannock, responsible for planning the routes taken
- Peter Bentley, Darren’s climbing buddy who never went anywhere without his two poles!
-Sam “Turbo” Whitehouse whose chief complaint was that the mountains weren’t tough enough!
-Three drivers, Dom Hughes, Richard Tamplin (a.k.a. Max and Paddy!) and Andy (long-suffering friend of Darren Cook‘s!)
-Not forgetting Emma (Gil’s wife), Nicki Featherstone and Richard Fish who organized much of the challenge and assisted in raising sponsorship.
-A big “Thank you” also to Lynne Morgan for providing the minibus transport free of charge.
A confirmed total of £5,500 has been raised to date with a predicted sum of £1500 more to come in.

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