Elston footballers take on Three Peaks challenge for Crohn's & Colitis UK
A group of hardy fundraisers have successfully battled through freezing conditions and exhaustion to climb the three tallest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in just 24 hours.
Harry Veys, 27, was diagnosed with colitis last year — a lifelong condition which causes inflammation in the large intestine.
In order to raise money for dedicated charity Crohn's & Colitis UK, his brother Will and friends Tom Hazelwood, James Scott, Zak Insley and Jordan Forth — who play for Elston Utd Football Club which James’s dad coaches — decided to take on the Three Peaks challenge.
Ably supported by Will and Harry's father, Henry Veys, who managed to acquire a large enough car for all of the men to take part in the challenge and do all of the driving, before long Tom’s dad Ged Hazelwood also agreed to take part as well.
Beginning with Ben Nevis, the group began the climb u the Scottish mountain just before 5pm on Thursday May 22, reaching the summit at just before 7.30 pm and making it back down the mountain by 9.30pm, before setting off to Scafell Pike in the Lake District.
“It was then a case of a quick sort out before jumping into the Galaxy with Henry who was our wonderful reliable driver and integral member of the party,” Ged said, “Henry took us straight to Scafell Pike, while we all attempted to get some sleep and we landed there in the darkness at just after 3am.”
On just a few hours sleep, the group then started the climb just before 3.20am and managed to get to the top of the mountain in time for a spectacular sunrise at just after 5am. “It was beautiful but absolutely freezing!” Ged added.
They made it back to the bottom at just after 7am and then it was off to Snowdon in North Wales, where Henry dropped them off at the Pen Y Pass car park at around 12.20pm, and finally reaching the summit at 2.20pm — but now the race was on to get back to the base of the mountain by 4.48pm to complete the challenge in time.
“We felt slightly under pressure so we couldn't hang around too long there before descending down the Llanberis 'tourist' route, desperate to get there before 4.48 pm: we had to get there inside the 24 hours!” Ged said.
“We did it - we landed at the Llanberis base at 4.01pm and we were over the moon. It was a profoundly emotional moment that was filled with relief.”
Harry, who had been in the men’s minds for the whole challenge, was there to greet them with his father Henry and his mother Jo.
The challenge has so far raised more than £3,000 for Crohn's & Colitis UK, and you can still make a donation by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/page/3peaks-challenge?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015
You can find more information on Crohn's or Colitis at https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/
Just some of the symptoms of Crohn's or Colitis include severe stomach pain, weight loss, diarrhoea, constipation, and chronic fatigue. You can find a symptom checker and more information via the above website.
