***** UPDATE *****
Message from Ethan, Eddy, Alex, Anthony and David....
"AN ASTONISHING RESPONSE FROM ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
FINALLY CROSSED THE THRESHOLD OF OUR TEAM TARGET OF £7,500 AT 7.15pm ON 8th JULY.
WELL DONE ALL. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.."
YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT OUR CHOSEN CHARITIES ON THESE PAGES.
What a 24 hours!! The weather was horrendous with flood warnings all over the North West of England and Scotland as one month’s worth of rain fell in one day. The driving conditions – often on small, bendy mountain roads – were awful and the situation on the mountains even worse. So much for the Summer solstice!
The boys managed their first climb (Ben Nevis in Scotland at 1344 metres) in the recommended 5 hours despite the wet and cold conditions - and snow on the top of the mountain! However, the news from the Lake District was not good. Due to the excessive amount of rainfall, climbers were being advised not to attempt the second climb up Scafell Pike (978 metres).
Firstly, the approach road to the base of the mountain was flooded and only accessible by 4x4 vehicles so there was a huge risk that their van could be stranded and the whole Three Peaks Challenge compromised. Secondly, the climb itself involves crossing a small river – by then, heavily swollen with flood water – and it was starting to look foolhardy to attempt the climb. So, much to the boys' disappointment, weeks of planning were frantically re-calibrated and a route up the comparable mountain of Hellvelyn (only 28 metres lower at 950) was worked out.
The boys were up and down Helvellyn in four hours and then (again wet and cold) back in the van for the 4 ½ hour drive to North Wales. Unbeknown to them, the Challenge had almost been aborted for a second time when Michael Ezra (their driver) was arrested by police in Grasmere. Yes, this is perfectly true! Whilst driving around the town in a van with blacked-out windows at 5am looking for somewhere to boil a kettle of water for hot drinks, Michael was questioned as a suspect in the robbery of an antiques shop. A long explanation ensued and he was finally released, just in time to collect the boys at the bottom of Helvellyn.
Snowdon (1085 metres) is a mountain that the boys are all very familiar with but it was still touch and go as to whether they could arrive there in time. Thankfully, they did and they managed the climb in 4 hours. As a result, they completed the (slightly altered) Three Peaks Challenge in 23 hours and 41 minutes.
This was an incredible achievement – undertaken in appalling weather conditions – they didn't give up when many others did and they remained cheerful and determined throughout.
So congratulations to Alex, Anthony, Eddy and Ethan; to David Dwek who did all three climbs and finished in 27 hours and 15 minutes (a slow 7 1/2 hour Snowdon due to ageing knees but still amazing); and Michael Ezra who schlepped them around – and to their mums who kept a 24 hour vigil.
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The Objective
We've joined together to raise money for three charities - Meir Panim, Holocaust Educational Trust and Help for Heroes.
Our aim is to climb the three highest peaks in Britain within 24 Hours. Starting with Ben Nevis in Scotland, then Scafell Pike in the Lake District and ending with Snowdon in Wales, we hope, weather and traffic permitting to climb and drive the length (and height) of this Sceptered Isle within a single day. The Challenge is due to take place on 24th June - the Midsummer weekend - so as to have maximum daylight to help us.
These are all exceptional causes and we have chosen them because in some way, they are relevant to all our lives. You can read more about their amazing work on the Just Giving links from this Team Page.
We hope to raise roughly equal amounts for each of the charities but feel free to distribute your donations as you wish.
You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal; every penny we raise will be donated.
There are 5 of us doing the climbing; David and Anthony Dwek, Ethan Ezra, Eddy Wax and Alex Rudofsky. And we have roped in a driver who will not only wear a chauffeur's cap for the duration of the trip but will also have hot soup and pastrami sandwiches ready at the end of each climb.
Please support these magnificent causes. They are counting on you and so are we. Please also leave any MESSAGES of encouragement on our TEAM PAGE.
Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Gift Aid can be (an additional 28%) reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too.
After all, we've been training together for 9 years.
Best wishes from all of us. And a HUGE thank you for your kindness and generosity as always.
So please dig deep and donate now.
