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Ben Nevis

The National Three Peaks Challenge

 1024 768 Gabrielle Devine
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We’re delighted that Team Smile has successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Britain’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – in 24 hours and raising thousands of pounds to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people.

Spread a smile challenge group Three peaks

The adventure kicked off on a Friday morning with a long drive from Chester to the Scottish Highlands, arriving at the foot of Ben Nevis in time to begin the first ascent at 5am. The weather was unfortunately not on our side, with heavy rain making the terrain even more challenging and our guide reporting it to be the worst conditions he’d seen all year.

Following a safe descent, the team hopped back on the bus for Scafell Pike in the Lake District, climbing England’s highest Peak in the evening and finally making it back down after midnight. It was then straight back on the road, driving through the night to Wales and arriving to start the final climb to summit of Snowdon at 5am.

Considering the weather conditions, lack of sleep and demanding nature of the challenge, the team were tested both physically and mentally, covering 3,400 meters of altitude and showing huge strength and commitment to the challenge and Spread a Smile.

We are so proud of them all for joining us for this incredible fundraiser which saw, members of the Spread a Smile team, join together with some of our corporate partners, supporters and family recipients come together for an experience they will never forget.

Three Peaks hiking challenge charity fundraiser“I will remember this weekend for a long time to come. Walking alongside a brilliant group of people, all pushing themselves physically to keep taking the next step, even in the driving rain and dark, was truly inspiring. Knowing the difference our effort will make to families supported by Spread a Smile made it 100% worthwhile.”  Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services

Thank you to Abbey, Amy, Becca, Chloe, Dave, Fiona, Graham, Jo, Kirsteen, Laura, Priya, Alice & Freddie. Also to Charity Challenge for expertly guiding us in the lead up and during the challenge. We really appreciate all of your efforts and for going the extra mile to raise vital funds to spread smiles to seriously ill children, young people and their families.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our fundraising challenges to find an event to suit you, be it a Tough Mudder, Inflatable Obstacle Course or the Vitality 10k Run.

Fintern take on 3 peaks challenge

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Our 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!