Rail Media team completes peaks challenge despite downpour

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Rail Media fundraisers braved torrential rain to climb three mountains in less than 24 hours for charity.

The five-man team summited Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis – the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales – as part of the Three Peaks by Rail challenge for Railway Children.

Organisers described the weather as the worst they had encountered in the challenge’s 10-year history, with a month’s worth of rain falling on Scafell Pike in just one day.

Asif Ahmed, Paul O’Connor, Tom O’Connor, Craig Smith and Paul Curtis left their warm Bath Street office on June 21 to begin the three-day expedition.

Managing director Tom O’Connor, 63, completed two peaks of the challenge, only pulling out of Scafell Pike because of dangerous weather conditions

Craig, 26, had to go through intense physical rehabilitation to prepare for the challenge following major reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

Craig, account manager, said: “Physically, I felt good all the way through. It was a personal achievement for me because of the knee problems I’ve had over the last few months but just generally the camaraderie of everyone involved was brilliant.

“Walking through the finish line of the third peak, Ben Nevis, was a good feeling, but getting off the top of Scafell in one piece considering the weather conditions was even better.”

Fourty-four teams from across the rail industry took part in the challenge, travelling to each mountain on a train service run specially for the charity event.

The Three Peaks Challenge has raised more than £1.3 million for the Railway Children charity, which helps protect and support street children around the world.

This year’s trek has raised more than £170,000 to date, with organisers targeting upwards of £200,000.

Rail Media’s team have so far raised more than £5,000.

Paul Curtis, 44, sales manager, said: “When I interviewed everybody on the way home a lot of people were like ‘no way I’d do that again’ and on reflection today, I would happily sign up again. It was just an amazing experience.”

Other fundraising activities offered by the charity include parachuting, white water rafting, a trek to Machu Picchu, a walk across the Great Wall of China and cycling across India.

“Lots and lots of people say congratulations and well done, and they like your status on Facebook, but for me it’s not about liking the status, it’s about getting the credit card out, clicking a button and changing someone’s life.”

Asif, 33, added: “It was truly the hardest thing I have had to do and I felt a real sense of achievement on the final summit, Ben Nevis. More so as we have raised over £170,000 as a group to date with more donations coming in.

“I would like to personally thank all of the 44 teams – more than 180 walkers – that took part in this challenge. My hat goes off to you all; to the Railway Children for organising a great event, and to all of the people that have sponsored and supported us.”

For more information about the charity or to make a donation visit: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

To donate through Rail Media’s page please click here

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks Mark,

    Well done to all of you, reminds me of the old record by The Who in Quadrophenia, Rain on Me, I have never seen that much rain ever and I used to live in Manchester for 7 years, Climbing Snowdon is hard enough, climbing it at night with rain for 5 hours is excessive, the 3 hour walk on Day 2 across the bog fields before y ou even get to Scafell Pike is hard work and Ben Nevis is just a long bloody slog. very proud of all of you. Paul

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