3 PEAKS CHALLENGE IN SUPPORT OF 'HELP FOR HEROES'

We are a team of 12 London Bus Drivers who were selected from over 1,000 applicants to drive a double-decker bus to Beijing as part of a project for the London2012 Olympics. The journey was to celebrate the ties between the two cities, but unfortunately due to the China earthquake the project was cancelled.

Having undertaken an intensive period of expedition training, we decided that rather than let our new-found skills go to waste, we should put them to good use and do something worthwhile as a group.

Our challenge was to climb the 3-Peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours on the 20th/21st June. Rather than use cars to transport us between the highest mountain in Scotland, England and Wales, we used a double-decker bus kindly loaned to us by Transdev!

Completing the 3 Peaks is tough, but it was even more so during that weekend. Even though it was supposed to be the summer, Ben Nevis was shrouded in low cloud with wind-chill temperatures of -11C, on Scafell Pike cold rains fell and by the time we reached Snowdon we were battling through 85mph winds and torrential rain.

After climbing a combined height of 9,500' and driving 450 miles, we finished at the foot of Snowdon 30 hours after leaving the base of Ben Nevis, cold, wet and tired, but proud of what we had achieved. Our next challenge is to reach the £40,000 target we have set ourselves for 'Help for Heroes'. Please help us achieve this.

Donating to 'Help for Heroes' through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Help for Heroes gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

We would like to thank our sponsors for all their help in allowing us to complete this challenge:

MAX ADVENTURE - expedition consultancy; TRANSDEV - bus and fuel; SCANIA - team jackets and T-shirts; WAYFAYRER - boil in the bag meals; MULTIMAT - inflatable sleeping mats; NSSL - Iridium satellite phone; HONDA - EU10i portable generator;  LUCOZADE - energy bars and drink

No matter what you can spare, please sponsor us NOW!