Fintern take on 3 peaks challenge
https://spreadasmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2406-Fintern-3-Peaks-780x400-1.png 780 400 Susie Susie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df35034d6e0dc0a34b96e2cbd5d9df5b1604bbb302409c0dcb03b9fd2cadd967?s=96&d=mm&r=gOur fundraisers really are incredible, going the extra mile for Spread a Smile and raising funds through a range of different challenges and activities. Earlier this month a brilliant team from one of our corporate partners, Fintern/Abound, took on the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Spread a Smile. climbing the three highest mountains in the UK in just 24 hours.
We spoke to Mark London, Chief Risk Officer at Fintern about the experience.
“Our Three Peaks team consisted of 12 staff members, plus two special guests from HSBC and EY. We set off on
day one with a spring in our step for our first (and highest) peak, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,343 metres tall and the highest mountain in the UK.
“Sadly, the weather conditions were not on our side with polar gale force winds knee deep snow and a -15c wind chill factor making for arctic conditions at the summit. As a result, all organised tours were turned around at Corner 8, (approximately 1,200 metres) due to the need for additional gear to safely continue. It felt a bit frustrating not to reach the summit, but it was out of our control, and we were proud to have reached where we did in such difficult conditions. All in all, our first peak took 4 hours 40 and it was then on to the Lake District to take on Scafell Pike.
“Standing at 978 metres, Scafell Pike is England’s highest peak and welcomed us with much better weather conditions. The scenery was amazing as we approached in the evening sun, driving alongside Wast Water and the view from the top was so lovely. The team made it up and down in a speedy 2 hours 57 minutes, which we were really pleased with. We felt energised and even sprinted the last part of the descent to be sure to get in under three hours!
“Last stop was Mount Snowdon in Wales, and we were pleased to have good conditions for most of the way up before being met with strong, cold winds at the summit (1,085 metres). The round trip up and down Wales’s highest mountain, took a respectable 4 hours.”
“This was the second time I’ve undertaken the Three Peaks Challenge in support of Spread a Smile, and it was brilliant to do it again, this time with colleagues as a team building exercise and to raise even more funds for our charity partner. There was a huge sense of camaraderie as together we covered 26 miles (plus quite a few more in the van), climbed for nearly 11 hours and reached a total of nearly 2,900 metres and all in just 24 hours. What’s more, together we’ve raised over £3.5k to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and their families, which makes the effort even more worthwhile. “
Feeling inspired? Please do get in touch with the team to find out more about fundraising for us. Email fundraising@spreadasmile.org today!
The Summer Party is a wonderful free event where we welcome the seriously ill children and young people we support along with their siblings and family members for a fun-filled day with loads of activities, entertainment and treats.
Freddie’s Flowers for flower crown making, host an interactive gaming tent and be on the lookout for footballing talent with our giant inflatable football goal.
to enjoy themselves and meet other young people in a beautiful setting over brunch. Being a teenager in hospital and undergoing treatment for serious illness can feel extremely challenging when you have to spend long periods of time away from friends and social activities. The entertainment options often feel much more limited, and it can prove to be an extremely isolating time. 
Play opens up a whole world of possibilities. It enables children to find time and space to explore their creativity and reach their full potential. It is an essential part of childhood and is at the very heart of mental, social and emotional growth and well-being.
do at Spread a Smile and we know first-hand how important they are for a child’s development, particularly when they are unwell and not able to spend time with family and friends. We are delighted to be part of the first ever International Day of Play, providing ways for children in hospital to simply laugh, play and do things that all children should be able to do.”
12 children and their families joined us for a fun-filled day, kindly hosted by the LEGO Group and including a tour of the offices, engaging LEGO based activities, lunch and magic from Spread a Smile Ambassador Richard Jones.
and enjoyment in amongst the worries of serious illness. We are so grateful to the LEGO Group for their continued support and creativity in helping to spread smiles to the children and young people we support.
Earlier this month we took 13 of the seriously ill children and young people we support along with their siblings and families for an exhilarating afternoon at F1 Arcade in London.
“I do not have the words to say how grateful we are and how amazing today has been. I am so close to tears holding them back.”