An Ashberry Homes site manager and his assistant overcame Storm Babet to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Swindon man Colin Wedge and colleague Luke Nicholls, who both work at Ashberry Homes’ Pirton Fields development in Churchdown, defied the elements to scale the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in an impressive time of 23 hours and 27 minutes.
The pair were joined their friend Jamie Markey, an electrician who works alongside them, to climb Ben Nevis in the Highlands of Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and Snowdon in North Wales.
Colin, 41, Luke, 28, and Jamie, 32, have so far raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK. The cause is one that is very close to their hearts as Colin lost his dad to the disease and Jamie’s mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The organisation is also the chosen national charity partner of the Bellway group, of which Ashberry Homes is a part, and Colin and Luke have previously taken part in the London Marathon and the Great Dorset Bike Ride for the charity.
To prepare for the challenge, Colin and Luke kept fit by playing football and cycling, while Colin also climbed Snowdon and Pen y Fan mountain in South Wales.
Site Manager Colin said: “It was a great challenge in very tough conditions. We all stuck together as a team and had a lot of fun along the way.
"Cancer Research UK is a very meaningful charity to me, and I was so pleased to be able to raise money for a great cause whilst also challenging myself mentally and physically.”
Assistant Site Manager Luke said: “Having worked with Colin and Jamie over the last three years, it was great to be able to complete this challenge together and motivate each other.
"Given the conditions we faced, it was a great achievement to finish the challenge in under 24 hours.”
The three colleagues started their epic challenge at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest of the three peaks at 1345 metres, at around 10am on Saturday 21 October.
During the ascent, they encountered fierce winds and the temperature dropped to - 3°C at the summit.
After a long drive south to the Lake District, the friends climbed Scafell Park, the highest mountain in England at 978 metres.
Relying on coffee, energy drinks and sweets to stay awake and alert during the night-time ascent, the trio battled loud 75mph winds which made it almost impossible for them to hear each other speak.
Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales at 1085 metres and the final leg of their challenge, proved a much easier climb in comparison as the winds had subsided to 40mph by the time they completed their descent at around 9.30am on the Sunday.
Rhian Reid, Sales Manager for Ashberry Homes, said: “Cancer affects so many people and as a company we are proud to support this fantastic charity.
"Many of our employees have taken part in fundraising events over the past year but what Colin and Luke have done by completing this challenge is something quite exceptional.
“All of Colin and Luke’s colleagues know what determined and committed individuals they are but even they have been amazed by the resilience and bravery they showed to complete this trek in such testing conditions.”
Staff from Bellway have so far raised over £3 million for Cancer Research UK, which will fund work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The company has now set a new goal of reaching £4 million by the end of next year.
For more information about Colin, Luke and Jamie’s fundraiser, people can visit their fundraising page at: https://fundraise.
For more information about Ashberry Homes’ Pirton Fields development, people can call 01452 405 593 or visit https://www.ashberryhomes.co.
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