We Did It!
Mission accomplished! Richard, Melanie and Veryan completed the 3 Peaks Challenge in 23 hours 40 minutes, Sarah and Jonathan did a wonderful job behind the wheel making sure that the 450 miles was covered in the shortest possible time and Jeremy and I climbed the 5 mile route to the summit of Snowdon in just under 3 hours!
As you can see from the pictures we were all figuratively as well as literally “on a high” on the summit of Snowdon. The feeling of achievement was great for everyone, especially as we were not helped by the weather. Scafell Pike, the night climb, was extremely difficult. They had to take a direct route on the ascent using only a compass bearing due to the white out conditions in the dark. Sheer grit and determination was the order of the day!
Jeremy and I started our climb at 8.30 am in quite pleasant weather but in the space of half an hour, the cloud had come down and we could hardly see our way ahead. Probably a good thing at some points, as the sheer drop on one side was rather terrifying to say the least! The 3,000 feet of ascent was quite a challenge: the first mile a good surface but quite steep and the last 2 miles were very steep and a shaley uneven path. I have to admit that I found it quite tough but the thought of all the money that everyone had so kindly donated, was a real spur and definitely made me determined to get to the top. I made the “sensible“ decision to come down in the train as I knew my broken hip could not cope with a 5 mile downward trek, but Jeremy, Sarah and Jonathan all managed it. Having arrived at the bottom in time to photograph Richard, Melanie and Veryan completing the Challenge, I then started to walk back up to join Jeremy – much to the amusement of walkers who had seen us earlier and thought I was doing the climb twice!
Weston Park Hospital are so delighted with the amount we have raised that there is to be a formal presentation later in September when Sarah returns to England. It is in excess of £4,000 already and we are planning that it should go towards the research carried out at the hospital so that future patients will benefit.
Our sincere thanks again to all of you who have so generously supported us.
Jo, Jeremy, Richard ,Melanie, Veryan, Sarah and Jonathan
In September of last year I was stunned when after a routine mammogram I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After checking with the doctor that he had the right notes, reality sank in. Having always been very fit and active it never crossed my mind that, “it could happen to me.”
The NHS in Rotherham were fantastic every step of the way, from diagnosis to home visits, information and support, operative and post operative care and then for radiotherapy at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield. In January of this year I was declared to be in remission.
As a family we were completely overwhelmed by literally hundreds of cards, flowers and emails of love and support. My son Richard suggested that maybe we could use this basis of support as a way of raising money to give a bit back and to help Weston Park to continue with the fantastic work they do.
As a family of keen walkers, over the years we have spent many hours in Derbyshire and the Yorkshire Moors so the “National Three Peaks 24 hour Challenge” seemed an obvious way to raise money.
The Three Peaks 24 Hour Challenge does what it says in the title – climb the 3 highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales all within 24 hours (including driving time)
A total walk of 22 miles, 11,139 ft of ascent and 450 miles driving
On Thursday 28 July, Richard, Melanie and friend, Veryan Gull will start at the base of Ben Nevis at 15:00. Then it’s on to the Lake District and Scaffel Pike to be climbed in the early hours of Friday morning, and finally drive down to Wales and Snowdon, the final peak by 11:00. Sarah and Veryan’s brother Jonathan, will be in support driving between the three mountain ranges.
On Friday 29 July - Myself, Jeremy and Jet (black lab) will leave the base of Snowdon at 8 am to climb the Pyg Track route of 3¼ miles and 2,390 ft of ascent so then hopefully all 8 of us summit together by 13:00 and descend by 15:00 to complete the full challenge for Richard, Melanie and Veryan.
We realise that everybody receives many requests for sponsorship, but if you feel that you can donate to this worthy cause then we would be delighted and extremely grateful.
Thank you for your support.
This will be quite a challenge for me!
Jo and family
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