Amazing fundraisers smash 3 peak challenge in 24 hrs in support of AHFO!!

Amazing achievement in gruelling challenge.

The 3 peaks challenge is one of the toughest of them all, it is a test of physical and mental strength and endurance that pushes people to the absolute limit.  The aim of the challenge is to scale the 3 highest mountains in the UK in 24 hours or under, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell (Lakes), Snowdon (Wales).  

A few months ago John Cullen who is a great lad and a big supporter of AHFO in many ways got in touch to say he had got together a group of 13 beautiful souls who were committed to take on this challenge and raise funds to help us carry out our vital community activities. 

The group set out on Friday 22nd July and reached Scotland early morning Saturday. After a short rest and a big breakfast the challenge began at 4.30pm Saturday in awful conditions. Not long into the walk, morale was low and it was already taking it's toll physically and mentally.  The rain and wind tore into the group but incredibly they completed the first peak in under 4 hours!!   

After a fast descent they were straight in the minibus and headed down the M6 to the Lakes.  The 13 warriors set out up Scafell at 4am Sunday in almost zero visibility and after 40 minutes realised they were on the wrong route!!  There was no other option but to go back down and start again, morale was on the floor and muscles tired and weary but together they were strong!! 

With a drive inside each one, they completed Scafell by early morning Sunday and rushed to get back to travel to Wales to make sure they completed the task in 24 hours. The tunes blasted on the drive and the group found their second wind as they headed to Snowdon despite concerns they wouldn't get it done in 24 hrs.

Lunchtime on Sunday we received a call to say the group were at Snowdon and had just started the climb, it would be close to the wire if they were to reach the summit in time. We headed to Snowdon to greet the group and were delighted to hear John's excited voice at 4pm Sunday telling us they were at the top and had successfully completed the challenge.  We were all so happy and it was quite an emotional moment knowing the group had been through so much effort and pain to help our cause, many of the group said this was the only thing that kept them going throughout the 24 hours.

When we reached Snowdon we couldn't believe how the conditions had took a turn for the worst. The group faced up to 80 mph winds and driving rain which had been bad enough to cause many seasoned walkers to turn back on the Welsh mountain.  We were over the moon to see the group reach us at the bottom of the miners track, cold, wet and exhausted but all in one piece thankfully!  After a short celebration and a couple of thank you speeches our 13 light warriors headed off home for a well deserved  warm shower and their first sleep in almost 48 hours.

The group have raised over £3000 to support our Summer kids activities and community bedroom refurbishments helping provide a nice, warm space for children to get a good nights sleep.  

If you would like to, you can still DONATE HERE and support this incredible group effort.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG