Glen Merryweather, David Walker, Nigel Duckering and Chris Allen jumped into cars and drove to the base of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in Cumbria and Snowdon in North Wales in a mad scramble to pull in £4,000 for the children’s ward at Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. The fab four took on the challenge in support of Alfie Fisher’s family, who are dedicating all fundraising activity in Alfie’s name to the hospital wing, as a thank you for their continued care of Alfie - a boy aged 11 from Cherry Willingham, Lincolnshire, who suffers from cystic fibrosis.
To get from mountain to mountain, they drove in four cars which are due to be auctioned off later this month by Newark Motor Auctions. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the cause.
Merryweather comments: “We are not shy about taking on crazy challenges like this. I think this is one of the hardest ones we’ve done, but also the most fun. We were chuffed with the time but even more pleased with the amount of money we have raised so far.”
Back in the cars, they drove to Wales and managed to complete the challenge with the ascent of Snowden on the Saturday”
Most people do the challenge by starting the stopwatch at the base of Ben Nevis in the evening, then driving to Cumbria through the night and then climbing Scarfell Pike in the morning of the following day and Snowden in the late afternoon. But the crazy gang set off from Lincoln, driving to Scotland and arriving at the mountain in the evening of the Friday and climbing the mountain before it got dark. Next up, they drove through the brief summer night to the Lake District and climbed Scarfell Pike at dawn. Back in the cars, they drove to Wales and managed to complete the challenge with the ascent of Snowden on the Saturday. Then followed a drive back to Lincoln to be reunited with friends and family for a well-earned pint of beer. Somehow, they managed to fit in a pub stop to watch the football.
Merryweather comments: “En route across the border after our five-hour hike up Ben Nevis, we managed to stop off in a local pub to watch England play Sweden in the World Cup quarter final. The landlord kindly sent our bucket around the regulars and we raised almost £100 that way.”
On top of the world: the guys made it to the summits
Allen chips in: “We were all in a good mood after the match as England won and thought the next hike would be easy but after 200 yards we realised just how tough it was. It was a challenge for us and exhausting, but Alfie faces a physical challenge every day, so you have to see it in context. We arrived back in Lincoln within the 24 hours and had a drink, but I must admit I collapsed after dinner that night and fell fast asleep. The amount has gone up to more than £4,500 and rising. We work with Newark Motor Auctions doing their signage and livery which is where we bought the car – an Alfa Romeo – which was quite nice for £300 actually and did the job. The car will be auctioned, and that cash will go to the charity.”
Just for the record the mountains are 1,345m (4,413 ft), Scafell Pike 978m (3,209 ft), and Snowdon 1,085m (3,560 ft). The total distance walked is estimated at 42km (26 mi) or 44km (27 mi), with a total ascent of 9,800 ft (3,000 m).
Allen Signs was first established in 1965 by David Allen’s father Barry and has a head office on Whisby Way in North Hykeham, Lincoln and an office in Knight & Whitehall House on Carlton Street, Nottingham.
Doing something crazy for charity? Let us know your story – the madder the better. Email your news to Harry - Harry@linkpublishing.co.uk or call me on 0117 9805 040. Or react to the story on Twitter and have your say.