While some of us sit in comfort and watch the excitement at Wimbledon, others are pitting their strength and fitness against our unforgiving, mountainous terrain.
Over the years, this awe-inspiring Wooden Spoon Four peaks Challenge has been an amazing event for many - many have she blood sweat and tears on this incredible journey and to date a staggering £5 987 556 has been pledged by teams to Wooded Spoon, a charity for disadvantaged children.
Tanya Sutton, Mark Emery, Julia Lickley, and John Charles have made up a team called Peakishness and they have set out to conquer four of the highest peaks in UK and Ireland, driving over 1000 miles and climbing over 14 000 ft in just 48 short hours. These peaks will be climbed in the following order, Ben Nevis, Helvellyn, Snowdon and Carantouhill.
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| The team - Helvellyn practice climb - May 2014 |
The Four Peaks Challenge, which must be completed in 48 hours, is all about team work. Each team of four comprises 3 climbers and a driver. The driver ensures that the climbers have all their basic needs met such as food, water, snacks, climbing gear, change of clothes etc. and in addition the drivers will climb the last peak, Carantouhill, in the 'Drivers Challenge'.
The three climbers must assist each other on each climb. Each peak is not conquered until all team members have returned. If a climber is injured and unable to climb, the driver must be prepared to switch places with the climber (providing the injured climber is still fit to drive) to keep the team intact. If the injured party is unable to take on the driving then the entire team must withdraw from the challenge.
Last year (2013) Tanya formed the Chesterton Hunnies with 3 of her work colleagues and although they were the last to finish, and they finished outside of the 48 hours, they won the wooden spoon for their efforts. It was the 30th anniversary of the event and the Guest of Honour was the' Raging Bull' rugby legend Phil Vickery MBE. He issued a challenge to finish within 48 hours in 2014 which Tanya took up. The team 'Peakishness' is the result.
A bit about the team...
Tanya Sutton - career woman, mother and wife - is Lettings Area Director for Humberts Ltd and in her spare time is wife to David and mother to Daniel, She has been training for this challenge for more than a year now and despite injury, is rearing to go.
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| Top of Pen-Y-Fan June 2014 |
Mark Emery - widower and father of three grown up fabulous Children, Natalie, Charlotte and Sam - is a sporting junkie who cannot resist a challenge.
Julia Lickley - having been unsuccessful in the 2013 challenge, the 2014, final challenge has become her personal goal. She is determined to complete it this year and will leave no stone unturned.... watch out, here she comes!
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| John and Julia Helvellyn - June 2014 |
John Charles - Julia's partner - not the most outdoorsie person but he was roped into this challenge by Julia because he is an 'Excellent Driver' Julia dragged him up mountain (literally) and down dale where he feared for his life - probably more afraid of Julia really - but he grinned and bared it because it is for an awesome cause. He even stepped up his training when Tanya injured her ankle so that he would be prepared should Tanya not be able to continue.
The commitment of this team is not to be underestimated!!
However, one thing they are not too good at is fundraising and they still have a long way to go to meet their financial challenge. if you can help, please dig deep and sponsor them at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ team/peakishness
This is the last year that you will have the opportunity to donate to this charity and do something meaningful for our disadvantaged children.
Peakishness Team Virginmoneygiving link
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!
Author's note
Thanks to 'The Bell ' at Frampton On Severn ..... for allowing me to use their WiFi while I write this blog.
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