On Saturday 12 May we will be undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Lt. Dougie Dalzell MC Memorial Trust.

 

Starting at 6am on Saturday morning we are aiming to scale the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. The challenge begins at Ben Nevis, after which we will drive to, and climb Scafell Pike, and then on to Mount Snowdon the summit of which we should reach by sunrise having scaled a combined hight of 3400m.

 

Training has been intense. What started as beer-fuelled, jolly walks through the English countryside soon descended into arduous, gore-tex clad hikes around some of the craggiest of coastlines along with seemingly endless hours spent walking up and down any other obstacle we could find.

 

However, we know if all goes to plan, that as we wearily raise a Lucozade to the memory of Lt Dougie Dalzell MC at the top of Snowdon it will have all been for an excellent cause.

 

Our friend Dougie served as a lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards. On 18 February 2010, on his 27 birthday, Dougie lost his life whilst commanding 2 Platoon in 1 Company, 1 Battalion Coldstream Guards during Operation Moshtarak in Babaji, Afghanistan. 

 

Whilst each of us could (and often do) talk for hours about the way Dougie influenced our own lives the following description by Lieutenant Colonel Toby Gray, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards gives a sense of what a great man Dougie was. 

 

“Had I been a Platoon Commander at the same time as Lieutenant Dougie Dalzell, I would have wished to be like him: assured, confident, utterly professional and hugely popular with his men and held in the highest regard by his seniors. He was the ultimate role model and example for any young officer. Not just a fantastic soldier and leader, he was an exceptional sportsman and he had dashing good looks. Beyond all this, he was also a bloody good bloke. He found most things easy, so rather than simply accepting basic success he strove to excel in all he took on. He really did ‘fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run’”.

 

In September 2010 Dougie was awarded the Military Cross, an award granted in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.

 

The Lt Dougie Dalzell MC Memorial Trust seeks to assist persons who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces, and their dependants, and thereby improve the quality of life of soldiers who have given so much for their country. The funds raised by Dougie’s Trust will support the following:

 

Promote and protect the health and circumstances of those that have been wounded or injured whilst serving in the Armed Forces, through the provision of facilities, equipment or services for their rehabilitation. 

Provide grants for education and other beneficial activities for dependents.

Provide grants to other charities who assist members of the Armed Forces and their dependants generally.

 

To date the Trust has raised over £115,000.

Any donation woud be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

Dom Buch

Aurore Ankarcrona

Chris Chappell

Nick Kinnersley

Cyrus Molavi

Rebecca Wright

Sophia Rogge

Adam Chappell

Henry Seligman

Harry Anscombe

Anthony Maxwell