Mountain Mission For Sandbach Charity (From Crewe Guardian)

Mountain Mission For Sandbach Charity

3:39pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A TOTAL of 162 brave mountaineers – including Little Bo Peep, three sheep and a giant rat – climbed the three highest mountains in the UK for charity last week.

The participants all completed the exhausting challenge with travel and sleep between mountains onboard a train.

They trekked up Scafell Pike in England, Snowdon in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland before celebrating with champagne on the train back.

Now in its sixth year, the unique fundraiser is set to smash the £1 million pound target and the donations are helping to save the lives of street children across the world.

One of the intrepid adventurers, Paul Van Schalkwyk dressed up as sheep and joined little Bo Peep to climb the Three Peaks.

He said: “The challenge was one of life’s great achievements and we are delighted to have raised thousands of pounds for Railway Children as it’s a great charity that can really change kids’ lives.

“We made everyone laugh with our silly costumes – Little Bo Peep and three crazy sheep. It was a difficult climb at times but we really enjoyed it.”

Another mountaineer Ivan Davenport, a 55-year-old dad-of-two, was awarded a prize for being the first person to reach the summit of all three peaks!

He said: “This was my third mountain challenge this year – as I’ve also completed the Welsh and Yorkshire three peaks.

"It was a fantastic weekend with superb weather on all mountains although Ben Nevis? was mixed.

"The hardest again was Scafell Pike – the smallest but for some reason seems the steepest. It doesn’t get any easier but it certainly gets more enjoyable.”

Ian Johnston, Chief Constable of British Transport Police, also took part in the event, just days after receiving a Knighthood from Her Majesty, The Queen.

Katie Mason, events manager with the Sandbach charity, hailed the event as a resounding success. She explained: “Each and every person that climbed or attempted to climb the mountains was truly amazing!

"It is much more difficult than it sounds – but it is a tremendous one-in-a-lifetime achievement.

“The determination was unbelievable and I know that some people pushed themselves to complete the challenge so that they could help the charity.

"Even our doctor had a slight fall and split his head open at Snowdon – but he kept going!

“We have raised more than £160,000 with this event and we have collected more than £1million in the six years that we have been organising the Three Peaks by Rail.

“This money will help thousands of children in the UK, India and Africa – saving them from the dangers of life on the streets."

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