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Rising High - The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge
Release Date: 28/09/2006
On a dark and cold morning on Saturday 9th September (whilst most of us were still fast asleep) Charlotte Bevan, Sarah Kirby and Tracey Batte of Watts Gregory awoke to an alarm clock in a Snowdonian Youth Hostel. The day of "The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge" had arrived. They were to attempt an ascent and descent of Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan, all within a 24-hour period.
At 6.47 am, they nervously set off from the Pen Y Pass car park for the summit of Snowdon. Two hours and 10 minutes later, they were standing on the first of the three summits. The ascent had been along the Pyg track; a track of about 4 miles with an ascent of just under 2,400 feet. The views from the rocky path were glorious, on both the way up and the way down, and the weather was kind by providing a lovely, sunny day, albeit windy in parts.
At 12.47 pm, they left Ty Nant car park for their second ascent of the day along the Pony Path to the summit of Cadair Idris. The day was still sunny, although there was a strong head wind throughout the unrelenting ascent of 4 ½ miles. Undaunted, at 2.39 pm, 1 hour 52 minutes after starting, they reached the summit of Cadair Idris.
The drive from Cadair Idris to Pen Y Fan was a very long one and they eventually reached the car park at the bottom of Pen Y Fan just before sunset.
Their final ascent started at 7.34 pm and they reached the summit of Pen Y Fan, the highest in South Wales, in 59 minutes. It was now pitch black, apart from a large, orange moon and a chill wind. Having taken their last obligatory summit photograph, their final descent was done very carefully by torchlight.
At 9.34pm, just 14 hours and 47 minutes after having started from Pen Y Pass, and having walked for 8 hours and 59 minutes of it, they triumphantly arrived back at the car park at the base of Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons. WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT!
Their grueling training schedule had been worthwhile and their efforts were not in vain. Charlotte, Sarah and Tracey were sponsored for the climb, by family, friends and colleagues and the charities to benefit were Barnardo’s and Bro Curig Y Barry. Their success has raised nearly £600 to date, that is almost £300 for each of the charities mentioned.
The team are still continuing to collect sponsorship money and the figure is ever increasing, if you feel inspired by their efforts and would like to pledge your support, then please contact Lorna Reed at Watts Gregory on (029) 2054 6600 or, alternatively, send an email to l.reed@watts-gregory.co.uk for more information.
Watts Gregory would like to congratulate the three ladies concerned for the fine example they have set. Perhaps we should all consider ways in which we, too could leave our individual comfort zones and put ourselves out for those less fortunate in the future.
Elfed House, Oak Tree Court, Mulberry Drive, Cardiff Gate Business Park, Cardiff CF23 8RS
Tel: (029) 2054 6600 Fax: (029) 2054 6611 Email: all@watts-gregory.co.uk Website www.watts-gregory.co.uk
SUPPORTING INFORMATION - CHARITIES
‘Barnardo’s Cymru’
Barnardo’s Cymru supports those who are struggling to overcome disadvantages created by poverty, abuse, family breakdown, and homelessness. One in three children in Wales grows up in a household living below the poverty line. Indeed, some valleys communities in Wales are among the poorest in Europe, with income levels per head being just 64 per cent of the UK average. Although often not realised, Wales also has pockets of rural deprivation where isolated villages lack services of all kinds. It is against this background that Barnardo’s Cymru provides 39 services across the country working with vulnerable children, young people, families and communities, helping them build a better future for themselves. Children have only one chance of childhood and Barnardo’s Cymru are there to make sure they can make the most of it, and reach their full potential.
Source: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/wales.htm
‘Ysgolion “Bro Curig Y Barry” Schools Gymnastic Display Team’
A group of talented young gymnasts from several Barry Schools will be representing Great Britain at the Worlds Gymstrada in Austria 2007. The Gymstrada will bring young gymnasts together from across the world giving participants the opportunity to experience and learn from various nationalities and cultures whilst representing their nations. The trip is wholly self funded and depends entirely on the kindness, generosity and hard work of the team their family and friends. The ‘Bro Curig Y Barry team have been attending regular training sessions over the last 12 months where they have been practicing and improving their routines in preparation for next year. Funds raised will enable this group of talented and committed children to take part in what can only be called an “experience of a lifetime”.
