First responders fundraising climbs to new heights for Essex charities

Clement Stone once said: "Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” And for a group of volunteers from the Danbury area that couldn’t be more accurate after their valiant attempt of the Three Peaks challenge at the weekend.

Our Danbury responders teamed up with volunteers from the Bicknacre Priory Scout group to take on the gruelling task of three peaks within 24 hours.

Responder group member Stuart Little, and Rebecca Hull, Andy Keen, and Simon Drane from the Scout group attempted to summit Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in 24 hours on the 8^th and 9^th April.

Despite their best efforts, the mighty Snowdon proved one peak too many with the group abandoning the mission in the early hours on Sunday. However, the team remained in high spirits knowing that the money raised was going to help their chosen charities Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT), Register for Rosie, and the Scout group.

Stuart said: “We had an amazing time despite the weather ranging from glorious spring sunshine, to sub-zero wind and three feet of packed snow. Unfortunately Snowdon got the better of a couple of the team, who were absolutely exhausted, so a group decision was made to abort the mission at 5am half way up the Llanberis path on Snowdon.”

Register for Rosie was set up to support Rosie Day, a cause close to the hearts of Danbury CFRs. Stuart was one of the team who taught the first locally-based emergency life-support (ELS) course in December 2015, little knowing that seven days later he’d be the first on scene as a CFR to support Rosie’s mum Sara, carry out CPR on Rosie.

Stuart said of the Three Peaks challenge: “It was an absolutely shattering 24 hours but several times over the weekend, the day I was called out to Rosie popped into my mind. It reminded me of all the mountains she has climbed since that night and pushed me that little harder to climb ours this weekend.”

He added: “To date our efforts have raised more than £1,800 which is fantastic, my thanks to all those who donated to such great causes. My thanks also go to co-ordinators Craig Cobb and Gordon Wren, without them we certainly wouldn’t have achieved this.”

If you would like to donate to the group, you can do so here: http://bicknacrescoutgroup.org.uk/get-involvedfundraising-activities/

Published 13th April, 2017