On Tuesday 5th July 2022 I completed my biggest physical challenge to date - climbing the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland, and cycling in between. All in three and a half days. This meant a total of around 440 miles (including over 4000m ascent) of cycling, and over 27 miles (and around 3000m of climbing) of trekking. I did this both as a personal challenge and to raise money for 2 charitable organisations. One is important to me from a personal perspective and without them my dad and I may not have made it off Ben Nevis back in 2001, and the other important to me professionally for the work they do provide access to outdoor sports and activities for people who would otherwise often not consider doing them. On 4th January 2001, when I was 13, my dad and I were climbing in Scotland when, after a long day on Ben Nevis we were caught in a whiteout and mistakenly entered 5-finger gully. I slipped whilst climbing down, knocking into my dad who was in front of me and causing us to bounce, roll and slide 600ft down the gully, breaking his leg in the process. After 9 hours on the side of the mountain we saw the torches of the VOLUNTEER rescue team in the valley below us who made it up to us and, after safely getting us put of the gully, airlifted us to hospital. Without this team of volunteers who worked well into the night, putting themselves at risk, there is a good chance we would not have made it off Ben Nevis that night. So the first charity for who, I fundraised for is the LOCHABER MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM. It is also fitting that my dad acted as support driver for me on this challenge and climbed both Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis with me. In 2012 when starting my career in Neurological Physiotherapy, I was fortunate to meet and work with former paralympic skier Jane Sowerby. I learnt of the charity she worked with and that they provided access to outdoor and adventure sports for people with spinal cord injuries. Since then the organisation has grown and grown and they have regular adapted waterskiing, skiing, kitesurfing and paddling sessions for people with disabilities. The second charity I fundraised for is ACCESS ADVENTURES.
79 hours and 5 minutes
The National Three Peaks Challenge takes in the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, often in 24 hours.