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Charity duo set to trek three peaks in 24 hours

02.08.11

A DEVOTED duo is swapping the buzz of the fundraising office where they work for the exhilaration of mountaineering across the UK's highest peaks in just 24 hours.

The team at Meningitis UK in Downend will be wishing fundraising colleagues Rhodri Davies and Toya Champ good luck on Friday as they embark on the ultimate trekking challenge this weekend.

The committed pair will be scaling the dizzy heights of Ben Nevis in Scotland, before heading to Scafell Pike in England with the aim of finishing triumphantly on the top of Mount Snowdon in Wales.

Rhodri, 33, whose training has comprised of Friday night football and gym sessions, has been getting some last minute hill-walking practice in.

He said: "I have done cycle challenges for charities in the past but this is the first time I have taken on the Three Peaks.

"I have been looking forward to this for ages as it's a really exciting challenge – especially as we have to climb three mountains in 24 hours.

"Everyday we work with our amazing supporters who are always holding events and show such determination – now it's our turn this weekend and the thought of helping our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign will really spur me on."

They will be joined by four people walking in memory of Leigh Woods school boy Ryan Bresnahan who sadly lost his battle with the brain bug in March 2010 aged 16, and six other people from across the UK.

Toya, 25, said: "I have walked some of these mountains before but never under such a tight timescale so I am looking forward to the experience and meeting our dedicated supporters who have put so much time and effort into our first bespoke challenge.

"We are supposed to hit the top of Snowdon at sunrise on Sunday and I really can't wait to see that.

"This isn't a challenge for the faint-hearted as we will be climbing a total of 3,000 vertical metres and travelling 480 miles between the three peaks. This is going to be an exciting and adrenaline-fuelled adventure which I'm sure we will never forget."

Not content with conquering the highest points in the UK, Rhodri and Toya are using this challenge as a trial run before they scale the awesome Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa's highest mountain in January 2012.

Meningitis UK's chief executive Steve Dayman, who lost his son Spencer to the disease, said: "I want to wish Toya, Rhodri and everyone taking on this challenge the very best of luck. To climb these three peaks is no mean feat, but to take them on in 24 hours is very impressive!

"The money raised will go towards our Search for a Vaccine Campaign which aims to raise £7million for vital life-saving vaccines to eradicate all forms of meningitis and associated diseases."

For more information about Meningitis UK, call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisuk.org