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Memorable moments from the challenge...
Radio message: "Richie from Jim. We have a medical situation. Grid Reference 144 733. CPR in progress. Please attempt to arrange medical assistance and inform Mountain Rescue for evacuation. Over."Text message: "Bomb attack on Glasgow airport. M8 closed. M6 closed. Severe conditions Scafell. Visibility 3 metres. Mountain Rescue searching numerous teams. How's it all going?"
Radio message: "Richie from John. Two members of team refused to stay with team. Have asked Frank to halt them."
Radio message: "Richie from Frank. Two members of team * just ran past. Asked them to stop and wait, but they refused."
Telephone call: "This is *. I'm in Beddgelert. Can someone come and pick me up?"
A Report on the Challenge from Lesley-Ann Newman:
Ben Nevis
The teams started the climb with fabulous weather although video footage has shown those of us at base camp how cold it was as we viewed teams sliding down from the snow covered peak. Mid afternoon as the weather closed in, Team C were faced with a member of another group of walkers having a heart attack as they descended the mountain. They were stunning in their response as they set about doing all they could to help, with Janice and Seymour electing to stay on the mountain for nearly 2 hours to give CPR and support, trying to give the walker the best chance possible before the helicopter rescue team arrived to take him to hospital. Sadly, inspite of mammoth efforts the man (who was walking with a group of friends from his church) did not survive.
Back at base camp our Mersey Venture ground crew were busy refuelling the teams as they came off the mountain to prepare them to move on to Scafell Pike for the night climb. As the buses loaded up with people and headed down to the Lakes we heard news of bombs at Glasgow airport and the closing of our motorway route back down south. Hasty diversions were agreed as the base camp crew awaited news of members of Team C, still held up on the mountain with the mountain rescue team. By the time the full team were reunited, it was getting very late and the weather was closing in but they elected to carry on and try and catch up with others at Scafell Pike.Scafell Pike
Team A at the summit of Scafell Pike at 2am. Yes, the visibility was that good. Why do you think we got lost?Jan, Richie and the back up mountain leader team from Mersey Venture kept us posted of progress and, in no time they had set up the catering tent with an array of gorgeous hot food and snacks on the go to try and revitalise the sodden climbers on their return. By this time, in light of the hold up on Ben Nevis, team C were starting climbing a full 3 hours behind the others but were determined to complete the challenge. The condition of team members at the end of Ben Nevis could not be more diverse with some suffering back and knee problems whilst others nearly skipped across the field (Mr Phil Nichol!) in the rain to claim their bacon butty reward. We worked out that you need a tube of deep heat per 10 participants for this event as necks, knees, ankles and calves were massaged to try and salvage aching muscles in prep for the next mountain. The pain etched on Dave Lee's face as he staggered towards the catering tent with his son Miles made me think this might not have been the kind of father/son bonding experience that he'd hoped for! Before you knew it though, it was time for a complete strip off and change of clothes and all aboard the buses for the journey to Snowdon.
Snowdon
3 Peakers did there best to try and get a bit of shut eye lying prostrate at the back of the minibuses on piles of wet rucksacks or even wedging themselves on the floor in the narrow aisles between bus seats on the journey to Snowdon. Even on 16 seater buses with 8-10 people on each, it's not the easiest thing to get some rest surrounded by dripping waterproofs and piles of climbing gear. The bus drivers did a terrific job in getting everyone from mountain to mountain safely.
As Linda and I traded buses between journeys it was just brilliant to witness the camaraderie and mutual support in the teams. For some of the comedians, it must have just felt like the longest gig ever (the challenge to keep the gags going for 24 hours surely much tougher than the 25 mile hike and 3 mountain climb?) From an outsiders perspective it was great to witness the way all teams bonded and really pulled together to support those who were struggling.
As we clambered off the bus at Snowdon base camp several team members looked like the walking wounded staggering off a battlefield rather than a challenge team off to climb a mountain. This was the final test of endurance, determination, stamina and team spirit. One of our participants admitted to crying every step of the way from half way up Snowdon, the only way that she managed to get to the peak and down again was through counting her steps (repeatedly starting at 1 and finishing at 100) and her team constantly encouraging her and telling her that she could do it.It was late on Sunday evening when our final team made it back to our hotel rendezvous for a well needed shower and the awards presentations. Martin and Kathy, Act4Africa's founders had driven to be with us to say thank-you personally to every person who had put their heart and soul into this challenge. Personally, the last time I saw such courage, joy and determination demonstrated by so many people was at Mild May Aids Hospice in Kampala, Uganda. Many of the children that Act4Africa works with there have had devastating lives. Many are HIV positive because of child rape, some have lost both parents to Aids and have been born with the disease, some been rejected by their communities or even their families because of their status. Yet they are determined to lead meaningful, positive lives inspite of their conditions. They have such a collective sense of purpose to use the talents that God gave them that I'm sure we at Act4Africa get far more out of spending time with them than they get from spending time with us. Yes, you are surrounded by people who's time on this earth is too short, those who are dying of an entirely preventable disease, BUT there is such a sense of hope, such a sense of purpose, such a sense of achievement thru' their collective experiences.
And that is what I felt yesterday when I said goodbye to each and everyone of you. Don't ever forget what you achieved yesterday. The man who died on Ben Nevis personally reminded me of the fragility of life. It seemed poignant and appropriate that one of our teams, who whilst participating in a challenge which will have raised over £37,000 and will potentially save many thousands of lives, were involved in an attempt to save one life. That our charity is not about dealing with the statistics of Aids. It's about giving every single individual the chance of a future. As I said at the beginning of this email, you will never know, in this life, the difference that you made this weekend.
Bless you. You are amazing.
Lily and all at Act4Africa...... xxxxxxx
Have a look at a selection of photos of the No Laughing Matter comedians as they tackle the Three Peaks Challenge.