Well we've completed the Challenge - more or less - apart from almost being blown off Snowdon !

In all about 120 staff, pupils and parents braved the appalling weather over the weekend - and almost all achieved their objectives. It was an amazing experience, and an incredible achievement for the children taking part.

Ben Nevis (all 4,409 ft of it) fell under the mighty boots of Sue, Lucy, Jack and Chloe on Friday - a long 8-hour slog through 'four seasons in one day' - sunglasses and t-shirts on the lower slopes, snow and mist (and a lot of emotion) on top.

Scafell Pike (3,210 ft) was conquered by the whole family on Saturday (the old man finally showing up in the Lakes at 6:45am after a night drive from Brighton - long story). Lashing rain and wind throughout the whole climb notwithstanding, and despite being soaked to the skin for 6 hours.

However the conditions on Sunday for Snowdon (3,560 ft) were (if possible) even worse. Even in the supposed shelter of the valley, the wind and rain made the going extremely tough, and in the end the last few metres to get onto the summit ridge proved just too dangerous. We (along with 4 other families) were within about 100m of the top, but the wind was just too strong - almost lifting the children off their feet. That combined with having to scramble on wet, slippery rock (and the knowledge that the top was going to be even windier) meant we had to make a tough call and turn back.

So a moral if not a physical victory - only the weather defeated us on the very last section of the very last mountain. And the kids were truly outstanding - they'd have gone on !

So on behalf of Sandringham, GOSH and 'Team Sykes' - a massive thank you once again. We've been genuinely overwhelmed by the generosity and good wishes from everyone.

All the best,

Andy