DIT&S MC take on Yorkshire 3 Peaks

 

It all started one late night in Yeovil in June 2012, one bright spark came up with the idea of “6 Peaks and a Paddle.” As morning broke, there was the realisation that the cut for applications had been missed such that the best of intentions could not be followed through. 

 

In late February 2013 the topic resurfaced and created real energy and enthusiasm with discussions focussed on the potential to contribute to a worthy cause alongside what could also represent an excellent team building opportunity.  The group needed to identify a challenge that could create the focus. Ever the optimist Ian Sanderson was still keen to take on the National 3 Peaks followed by White Water Rafting and then the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. As you might expect it was knocked back by the realists of the group (I bet he’s glad now) and as a group they concluded on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge having considered and dismissed more benign options such as Sky Diving and Bungee!

 

Following this decision Andy Leahy and Ian Sanderson agreed that it would be an excellent development opportunity for young individuals in the business to take on the task of engaging participants and organising the event. That’s when Nathan Clay, Libby Whiteley and I became involved, the next sixteen weeks were a combination of planning, and communicating, encouraging sponsorship (with Fancy Dress for 5k at stake this was certainly key) and ensuring the team were suitably prepared and safe when carrying out the challenge.

 

A practice peak was arranged up Pen-Y-Ghent, the day was bright, sunny and the conditions were good. It was a success and it left (some of) the participants inspired and confident in readiness for Challenge Day.

 

The 4th July soon came around, on arrival commitment to dress code was apparent, a blur of pink cowboy hats, tie-die t-shirts, neon leg warmers and a peculiar afro wig took to the Yorkshire Dales. As ever, the unpredictable British weather did not let them down, as you would expect for a typical day early July – horizontal rain, strong winds and poor visibility – good Job Mr Timms had his specs on!

 

Peak 1, Pen-Y-Ghent, was conquered faster than expected and the team beat the support group (by minutes) to the first stop off point, wet and hungry but undeterred, the team remained confident and  in high spirits as they marched on.

 

Peak 2, Whernside, the support team were ready and waiting – brews and cold drinks (non-alcoholic, at this point) at the ready. The team were still in good spirits but after at least 15 miles the walk was taking its toll with the feet starting to protest.  It was at this stage where the value of Nathan’s training plan kicked in with the finely tuned group able to draw on the considerable fitness reserves developed over previous weeks.

 

Peak 3, Ingleborough, the sun came out giving the team that ray of hope they needed to pull them through, everybody worked fantastically as a team to keep one another going and all participants successfully completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge!

 

You could argue (one member did) that with the wet weather conditions and difficult terrain, that the team did infact endure 6 Peaks and a Paddle. At this point its worthy of a mention that on the  weekend prior to the event Nathan Clay successfully took on the National 3 Peaks Challenge, if he wasn’t aching enough, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks on the following Thursday definitely pushed him to his limit – well done Nathan!

 

Exhausted after an 18 hour long Challenge day, dedicated as they are the team were back in work the following day, Steve Timms hosted a VIP visit “walk around” Samlesbury site. Walk around is an interesting choice of term given he could barely walk but just as the day before he battled through and kept the obvious pain back behind the odd facial grimace!. Andy Leahy – up early again and off to Brough. Those from sites further afield had long journeys home and inevitably everybody had that huge back log of emails you get after one day out of office. Who’s wishing they booked the day off?

 

The Challenge was set out as a team building event, using innovation it was combined with fundraising in aid of the Christie Charity, the money raised to date (£4,812.85) will be going towards a mobile chemotherapy unit treating 100 people per week across the North West.

 

 

A note from Charlie Rowen at Christie Charity –

 

“Hi Team BAE

On behalf of The Christie charity, I would like to say thank you for your support and congratulations on completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge! I hope that you really enjoyed the challenge.

 

I look forward to hearing how it went, and please be sure to send over any photos from the challenge!”

 

Now for the thanks, we couldn’t have got anywhere near our £5000 target without every single sponsor’s support whether it was £5 or £100, every pound donated encouraged and lifted the spirits of the participants.

 

Thanks to the support from the MC members who were unable to take part, your sponsorship and encouragement for the team was much appreciated.

 

Thanks to Lofting Services North West Ltd for their sponsorship towards food and drink for participants on the day.

 

Thank you to Andy Kitchen who managed to resolve a last minute transport issue and provided a mini bus to give the walkers and support staff a shelter from the rain.

 

Thank you to Kev Skinner and John McNeill for all your support on the day. And thanks to Angela Platt (SHE) for developing a detailed risk assessment.

 

And a massive thank you to those who completed the challenge, you all remained in good spirits and kept the topic of conversation on the peaks “interesting”. Congratulations to you all for completing the challenge:

 

Ian Sanderson

Andy Leahy

Steve Timms

Michael Christie

Richard Hussey

Stuart Butler

Mark Turner

Tom McMichael

Julie Smyth

Karen Williams

Kath Lane

Nathan Clay

 

Libby, Nathan and I would like to say a huge thank you for the opportunity to be involved in such a responsible, acknowledging event.

 

Thank you and Congratulations!