In the first of her blogs from the Give Local National Three Peaks Challenge, Lizzie Jones gives the lowdown from the start point at the foot of Ben Nevis.
OK then, it’s up we go!
After months of planning, lots of (and hopefully enough) training and not a few butterflies, we have set off on the epic Give Local National Three Peaks Challenge.
The Scottish Highlands are beautiful and make for a spectacular backdrop for me and all the other 21 brave souls I am walking with to raise money for the Defibrillator Fund.
We are setting off shortly from the foot of Ben Nevis on what is going to be an amazing journey up and down the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, and all in the space of just 24 hours.
Let’s hope the walking is more comfortable than the travelling: it was a looong drive up here this morning and the old legs were pretty stiff when we pulled up into the car park almost seven hours after leaving Halifax.
The weather gods weren’t smiling on us on the way up but conditions are not as grim as they were as we all go through our final equipment checks, making sure everyone has got everything they need for the first ascent.
It takes a lot of work by a lot of people to make events like this happen and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in arranging an adventure that none of us are ever going to forget.
There are too many people to mention by name, and I’d hate to think I might forget someone, but special thanks must go to our main sponsors, Give Local, who have been great, and Arrow Self Drive, who have provided the fleet of mini-buses that will transport us between the three peaks and home again.
We have people with us from all walks of life and I get the feeling the camaraderie is going to be something very special indeed: it’s great to have the three former players, Barrie McDermott, Terry O’Connor and Kevin Sinfield along and the banter between them is making everyone laugh.
The boots are on, the waterproofs are doing their job and, as Yazz once said, the only way is up! Wish us luck folks!
And don’t forget the reason we’re all doing this: to raise money that will help Rugby League clubs purchase potentially life-saving defibrillators that will keep their players, staff, supporters and the wider community safe.
Any sponsorship donation you can make is much appreciated – please donate here
