THE BIG CHALLENGE!

Hi everyone

Thank you for taking the time to visit our Just Giving page. As you know, we have committed ourselves to what can only be described as ‘The Big Challenge’!

On June 5th Mark, Paul, Brian, Craig, Dave and I (Tom) will meet at Fort William where we will begin our 10 hour climb up Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg (CMD) Arete route.

With just a few hours’ sleep to recover we will then walk 22 miles from Fort William to South Laggan on day two.

The walking will continue for a further 19 miles on day three to Invermoriston, 14 miles on day four to Drumnadrochit and another 18 miles to Inverness on day five.

The remaining two days will be spent cycling the 73 miles back from Inverness to Fort William.

By now you must be thinking WHY? Well the answer is simple. The existing surgery at the Godmanchester Shelter where we work has barely been altered since it was built 25 years ago.

At the time it was a very modern surgical department but times have changed and our animal welfare knowledge has improved.

Therefore we have decided to raise the £12,000 needed for a Biochemistry Machine which will sit in our brand new surgery when it is completed next year.

Below you will find some more detailed information about all of us individually and a link to our blog where you can read all about our training and follow us throughout our journey.

The team (and the resident animals in our care – all 900 of them) will be extremely grateful for your support today, no matter how small, to help us reach our £12,000 target!

Thank you

 

Name: David Morgan

Age: 50

I am overweight (doctor described me as obese), acrophobic, asthmatic – I can get out of breath running a bath.

If scouring Ben Nevis via the CMD Arête doesn’t bring all the above to a head on day one, then I have 70 odd miles of walking the Great Glen Way and then 70 miles back via the mountain cycle route - should just about finish me off.

To me it’s not the miles or the potential danger that make this a challenge; it’s the condensed and variable nature of it. When I did Ben Nevis the easy way (and when I was a lot younger) I needed the week off after to be able to walk again. For me the day on day nature sets a very real, difficult and potentially dangerous set of individual challenges. I know that the team have both their fitness and age in their favour and if I can work hard enough for the next four months, I might just make it. Although confident, I have agreed to write my will and ensure personal insurance cover before we go – just in case.

Name: Paul Hunter

Age: 46

I currently reside in Derbyshire so I will get a head start over the other team members with the training at weekends as there are proper hills up North!

The Big Challenge will be a huge leap over anything I have attempted in the past and that includes the Inca Trail in Peru that I undertook as a charity challenge for the Shelter about 5 years ago. The distance to be covered over the trip will be a test to our mental strength and physical endurance given the state of my body after many years of inactivity and fondness for beer and Indian food!

What am I looking forward to about the Challenge?.....Spending a week in the big outdoors enjoying the company of friends, taking in the stunning scenery and completing it in one piece at the same time knowing that we are doing this to support the Charity that we are all dedicated to. Not forgetting the celebratory beer and curry in Fort William at the end!

Name: Mark Anderson

Age: 41

Looking at pictures of the CMD Arete reminds me that my Will is not up to date. I am most looking forward to my birthday in September because I may have recovered from the cycling by then!

I am also looking forward to the scenery, the camaraderie during extreme times, the weather and probably the bed each night, if there is one.

With my engineering knowledge I won’t be able to bring a lot to the team – apart from repairing and servicing the bikes!

I am an avid walker and enjoy walking most types of terrain. I have never tried anything like this before and will; if I finish it: love every minute of the leg pains, sore feet, ear ache and all other associated aches in unmentionable regions. I hope this challenge will raise enough money for the surgery scanner and increase the profile and awareness of Wood Green nationally.

Name: Brian Warne

Age: 45

As the First Aid member of the group - I must be the most accident prone one of the whole team!

I have a strong character and like a good laugh and plenty of practical jokes. If there is a risk I love it even more with danger giving it more excitement. Any outdoor activity gives me a buzz and the challenge will push me to see if I’ve still got the stamina.

The team will need to bond over the next 4 months and a good team spirit will be paramount.

The money we raise can only improve the surgery capabilities and help ensure the work we do here continues and gives more animals in our care a better chance of recovery.

 

Name: Tom O’Connell

Age: 31

I am not good with heights, in fact I struggle to stand on a chair to change a light bulb without going wobbly(due to the height of course!). The CMD arête is a ridge walk with some very narrow sections with a clear view of the drop either side!  I may crawl that part…..

The scenery will be stunning with mountain views across the numerous lochs.

I will bring humour to the group! With the challenge being very draining and strenuous being able to lift the spirits of the team and hopefully help motivate the group will be important. Certainly towards the last few days of the challenge I’m sure everyone will be extremely tired and helping spread a few smiles would be good. I may even do the last day in spandex if we reach our goal of raising the £12,000.00!

It will be a huge achievement. Completing the challenge and raising enough money to purchase the equipment for the Veterinary Department would be simply amazing. I really hope that we get the support we need and reach our goal. Wood Green does a fantastic job and helps so many people and I feel passionately about giving something back.

Name: Craig Goldsworthy

Age: 37

 I like to keep very upbeat and possibly close to hyper and to push/motivate all and keep them smiling is what I hope to achieve... that morning wake up smile...

Looking forward to fantastic scenery at the top of the mighty Ben.

Think I will most bring blister packs to the team, the lighter walkers of the group with the unbroken boots will suffer well!

The challenge and completing it will bring a massive sense of achievement for a really great cause and to help the animals and the staff at the shelter. It’s the proud moment of "I was a part of that" pushes me even more to achieve what I think will be a great challenge.