Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Peaky Climbers raise money for RoadPeace and Limbless Association
Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Peaky Climbers were proud to present RoadPeace and the Limbless Association with the monies raised following their completion of the 6 Peaks Challenge in September 2018.
In the most audacious fundraising challenge ever embarked upon by Bolt Burdon Kemp, a personal injury firm not unfamiliar with extreme charity events, the Six Peaks Challenge offered something a little different. In support of two incredible charities – RoadPeace and the Limbless Association – eight volunteers made up of paralegals, solicitors, associates and partners across the firm were to climb six of the highest mountains in the UK…..in just 36 hours.
In addition to the traditional three peaks spanning Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Snowdon in North Wales, the group would be tasked with the small matter of scaling the famous Yorkshire three peaks in-between – a distance of around 25 miles.
RoadPeace, left to right: – Ahmed Al-Nahhas, Sara Dowling – RoadPeace Fundraising and Membership Manager, Tanith Jones, Ben Pepper, Joe Carr, Cynthia Barlow OBE – RoadPeace Chair, Amber Lawler, Beth Hey and Josh Hughes
The group began their training and fundraising in the Spring of 2018 and over the next six months, organised and held countless fundraisers including pub quizzes, bake sales, poker nights, bucket shaking and even turning one of the firm’s meeting rooms into a temporary nail salon! Beyond these events, colleagues, families and friends were incredibly generous with both their time and donations as the firm moved towards the enormous fundraising target of £10,000. Juggling their demanding full time jobs and marathon-esque training schedules, these events were always well attended and meant the profiles of the chosen charities were raised at every opportunity.
Limbless Association, left to right: – Susan Rose-Limbless Association, Tanith Jones, Deborah Bent – CEO Limbless Association, Glen Silvey, Ahmed Al-Nahhas, David Rose Vice President of Limbless Association, Ben Pepper, Josh Hughes, Joe Carr, Beth Hey and Amber Lawler
As the date approached, training injuries started to creep in as did the nervous anticipation. The organising events company introduced the guides who would accompany the group up each peak and the reality of the gruelling itinerary began to hit home.
The first climb was Ben Nevis – the tallest mountain in the UK on Saturday 8th September 2018.
The start of the beautiful Ben Nevis climb
After around three hours of climbing, the first peak was reached before a quick turnaround and descent, arriving back at the minibus at around 5pm – around an hour ahead of schedule. Given the tight timescales, clothes were hurriedly changed (the itinerary allowed for just a 15-minute turnaround after each mountain) and the group were off again At this stage, it began to rain and as the group were to discover, this wasn’t to stop again for over 24 hours.
A five and a half hour drive separated Ben Nevis from Scafell Pike in the Lake District. After only disturbed rest, the group arrived in complete darkness with torrential rain lashing the windscreen. Such was the weather, within minutes ‘waterproof’ jackets, boots and trousers had admitted defeat leaving the walkers waterlogged and battling gale force winds. The conditions on Scafell were treacherous but eventually, the group summited at around 1:00am. By 3:30am the group were back at the minibus, desperate for warmth and back on the road within 15 minutes.
After just two and a half hours respite and greeted by yet more rain and wind, the group arrived at the start of the Yorkshire Three Peaks at about 6:00am on Sunday morning. At this point the group lost one walker who was advised by the guide he had concerns of developing hypothermia and another after the first peak who had injured knee ligaments in a fall. After a further 18 miles and after tackling the peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent and Whernside in truly horrendous conditions, the guide decided that the Ingleborough ascent would have to be called off due to dangerous conditions.
Taking momentary cover during the Yorkshire Three Peaks – freezing cold, wet and exhausted.
Unperturbed but exhausted, the group arrived at Snowdon at around 8pm on Sunday evening. The remaining six climbers set off for the last time, deeply deprived of sleep and rest. The Pyg track was very challenging – at points involving clambering over rocks. Nevertheless, the group finally reached the top of Snowden with clear night skies but heavy winds at around midnight. Emotions were mixed – elation for completing the challenge but also of relief and a burning desire to find the nearest bed…something that was only possible at 4am on Monday morning.
Thanks to everyone’s generosity – those who sponsored us, attended our events, shared our social media and bought our cakes –we managed to raise over £11,000 for RoadPeace and Limbless Association, about which the firm are immensely proud. On a more personal note, the group were able to solidify their commitment to Bolt Burdon Kemp’s values, and learnt a huge amount about resilience, determination and teamwork.
Alongside our charity work, Bolt Burdon Kemp passionately support our clients through our campaign work, addressing and leading the conversation around some of their most pressing issues.
Josh Hughes is a Senior Associate solicitor and the Head of the Complex Injury team at Bolt Burdon Kemp specialising in Medical Negligence claims. If you or a loved one are concerned about the treatment you have received, contact me free of charge and in confidence on 020 7288 4817 or at joshhughes@boltburdonkemp.co.uk for specialist legal advice. Alternatively, you can complete this form and one of the solicitors in the Medical Negligence team will contact you. You can find out more about the Accident Claims team.