Story
<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.</p>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>NEWS</strong></span></em></p>
<p>Just found out we actually came 4th!!!!!!! We are so happy. For the rest of the ridgewalk results visit the link below.</p>
<p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.theridgewalk.co.uk/results_2011.html">http://www.theridgewalk.co.uk/results_2011.html</a></strong></span></em></p>
<p><em>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</em></p>
<p>We did it!!! We managed to complete the Ridgeway Challenge in 9hours and 45 minutes.</p>
<p>Setting off at midnight from the Berkshire startpoint we managed to set a great pace and finished the first 9.2 miles by 2.40. After a quick 15 min drink break, we were off again to complete the next 9.1 miles. With the temperature down to 6degrees and the wind making it feel much colder our pace started to slow, however we still managed to reach the second checkpoint at 6.20. This means we covered 18.3 miles in just over 6 hours.</p>
<p>The final leg, just under 8 miles was a long climb up a series of hills. The climb and exertions earlier in the evening meant the pace slowed significantly, but with grit, determination, and Louise literally dragging Aishah up the last hill, all the Grayson Gems arrived together at Barbury Castle at 9.45. Our night was definitely made complete when we were told we managed to finsih the challenge in 5th place out of the 26 teams that left at midnight.</p>
<p>We would like to say a big thank you to Stuart Hateley who was in our support team and was with us at every checkpoint cheering us on. Thanks to Derek Minister who was there at the end waiting for us, cheering us along with Stuart. Also a big thank you to all of our families and friends for their supportive messages before and after the event. And last but certainly not least a big thank you to all of our sponsors. It means it was all worthwile. <strong><strong><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial Black;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small; font-family: Arial Black;"> </span></strong></span></strong></strong>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>We've done our dress rehearsal for the trek by completing our first 26 (26.4 to be exact) mile walk on Friday 29th April. It was sad missing the big Royal Wedding but considering we all couldn't move on Saturday we got to catch the recap then.</p>
<p>We managed to complete the journey in under 12 hours; the allotted time for the actual event. The walk which took us from Hoxley Heath to Meriden was not only physically but mentally challenging. However now we have done it we know that we can definitely take on the Ridgewalk Challenge! Countdown has begun.</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>Grayson Thermal Systems have entered a team into "The Ridge Walk Challenge" which is in aid of Sense, the charity for deafblind people. Last year the walk raised over £100,000 for the charity, and this year Grayson want to do our bit to add to that remarkable total.</p>
<p>The 'Grayson Gems' will walk 26 miles, starting at midnight, in 12 hours through the Ridgeway National Trail. We hope to raise at least £1600 for the charity and to do that we need your help!</p>
<p>Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind. They provide expert advice, information, and specialist services to deafblind people, their familes, carers and the professionals who work with them. £5 of your money could buy a set of musical bells to help stimulate the smallest amount of a deafblind child's hearing. So as you can see the money is going to a very worthy cause.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now. As they say "Every little helps!"</p>
<p><strong>4 women - 26 miles - 12 hours - NO TURNING BACK!</strong></p>
</p>