This year a group of us from DCS decided to face bravery and fitness at the same time and take on a life altering challenge, climbing the three highest peaks in Britain in just 24 hour to raise money for a local charity Francis House Children's Hospice.

Dedicated to providing support, friendship
and high levels of clinical care to the families of children and young adults
with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, at DCS we were moved by the
devotion of the volunteers and knew we wanted to do something to help this
cause.

On a hopefully sunny weekend in June (14-16^th) 15
of us, and 2 dedicated and selfless drivers, we will be making our way over to Glasgow to set up camp in Fort William in
preparation for our first climb up Ben Nevis (Scotland 1342m). Being the
largest peak of the three, we thought it best to tackle this one first. From
the base to the topes takes up nearly half the assent of the entire challenge
and although we’re expecting calm weather in June, we’re preparing for thick
mist from half way up and potentially several feet of snow.

Supporting each other as we make it to the top, we plan to
stop briefly to admire the views before we make our assent and over to the next
challenge.

After spending several hours driving to lake district, we
plan to arrive at Scarfell Pike (England 978m) the volcanic hump of England’s
highest peak has a route which starts and ends in Wasdale a valley with
England’s deepest lake, Wastwater at its heart.

The head of the valley is dominated by the mountains for
Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and of course the Scafells – not one peak but a
whole range of peaks jutting out a 900-meter-high plateau of shattered rock.
Although not the highest of the three, it promises to be equally challenging as
the route is steep and relentless. Determination, focus and strength will be
crucial as we will gain height quickly and will very soon be able to look back
at the views, and on a clear day may even see the Isle of Man.

After this we will make time for a much-needed nap in the
mini bus, as we to head over to Wales for the final leg, Mount Snowdon (Wales
1085m). One a clear day, Snowdon is a peak that dominates everything around it.
Unlike Scafell Pike, Snowdon shoots up into a great pyramid. There are nine
picturesque walking routes, several climbing crags and dozens of lakes –
hopefully we will have time to take it all in and are not sprinting to complete
in 24 hours like many before us.

We plan to take the Pyg Track which promises to be a mixed
bag with some challenges and views along the way.