On Saturday 22nd April 2023 up to 40 children, (aged 8 to 14), plus leaders, will set off at 4.00am, IN THE DARK, to trek and summit Pendle Hill; with the aim of arriving as the sun rises over the horizon.

The inspiration for taking on this momentous task is one of our cubs, ASHTON BARTON.

Unfortunately, he has a complex heart condition and recently, (successfully), had to undergo another operation. During his short life he has had numerous operations, including open-heart surgery 3 times!!!

Due to the nature of his condition, he now has a high risk of suffering a heart attack.

Despite the adversity he has faced ASHTON is a delightful 9-year-old; a huge character, who is full of life and who wants to maintain his cub activities. His parents and we equally want him to, but in the safest manner!

Should the unthinkable happen whilst he is with us, according to the British Heart Foundation, we would have just 4 minutes to administer defibrillation if it is needed. Unfortunately, we would not be able access the nearest, public Defibrillator in such a short timescale!!!

We are doing this to purchase, install and maintain a COMMUNITY DEFIBRILLATOR outside St Marys Church Hall, at a cost of approximately £4,000.

Our trek will be like no other challenge the Cubs/Scouts, or us leaders, have ever undertaken; it will push them to the limit, but will create memories that will last a lifetime, help their friend Ashton continue as a cub and do something special to support our local community, potentially saving lives.

We also believe the event is A FIRST! To our knowledge no Cub/Scout troop has ever tackled something like this in the UK, nor are we aware of any group of this size summiting Pendle Hill in the dark.