Brief Banter By Ben

Hi Dad,

It went really well but I am glad it is over. 6 out of the 9 of us did the
Three Peaks but unfortunately not in 24 hours but 30! The difficulty was
that there was a vast difference in fitness levels which made a huge impact
on our timings.

On my way home from work on Thursday someone tripped me up at London Bridge
and I fell directly on to my knees and my left one took the brunt of it...
you can see where this is going. I was fine up and down Ben Nevis and up
Scarfell but felt a bit of pain going down, about two thirds into Snowden
it went but I was damned if I was gonna turn back and by the time I got to
the top I was in agony and going down was a trauma to say the least -
probably the first person to descend Snowden either backwards or on my
arse!

It was really good and am glad that I did it. I was disappointed going up
Ben Nevis that a few were holding up the team but then on the way down we
passed them and they looked so determined but knackered that two of us went
back up to the top with them and walked down together - after all it was a
team event.

The views were stunning and the weather was gorgeous still had snow on top
of Ben Nevis which was mad. Only I didn't take a single picture for some
reason I thought that I had forgotten my camera but found out back at the
hotel that I lugged it up and down all three without knowing. Will get
photos off the others.

Was in a state yesterday but the pain in my knee has got a bit better today
but I have trouble going down stairs.

I'll give you a bell tonight.
xx


"Ben Whiting"
Subject: 3 Peaks
12/06/2006 08:15

How did it go?

Dad

*********************************************
Cheques should be made payable to "Compliance 3 Peaks Objective" (C3PO).
I'm going to try and get the bank details for the account we have set up
for any internet bankers who wish to pay electronically. Good spot - the
sponsorship form isn't very clear.

You could send them to me to pass on.(Ben the Ed)

*********************************************


Tomorrow I will be joining a small team from work who will be attempting
the Three Peaks Challenge.

The object of the Three Peaks Challenge is to climb the highest mountains
in England (Scarfell Pike 978m), Wales (Snowdon 1085m) and Scotland (Ben
Nevis 1344m) all within 24 hours. This is a combined climb of 3,407m. To
put this into context the climb from Lukla airport to base camp on Everest
is 2,680m in comparison.

This is a marathon undertaking not just because of the distance travelled
in the ascent and decent of the mountains but also in travelling between
them as the mountains are some 500 miles apart and will take at least 10
hours of our time.

The reason for attempting this madness is of course to raise money for
charity and the team members have chosen the following three charities to
support.

Medecins Sans Frontiers is active in over 70 countries and seeks to offer
medical aid and humanitarian assistance to populations in danger. MSF is
determined to provide aid to whoever needs it regardless of race, sex,
religion or nationality. As well as providing care they also speak out to
raise awareness of ongoing atrocities and human suffering. Their reputation
for being the ‘first in and last out’ of the world’s danger zones earned
them the Nobel peace prize in 1999.

Cri du Chat Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by loss or misplacement
of genetic material from the fifth chromosome. It is named after the
distinct sound made by the babies and young when they cry. The charity has
three goals.
· To provide support and advise to parents and carers
· Raise awareness of the syndrome amongst the medical profession and
public
· Raise funds to promote research

Shelter helps 100,000 people a year fight for their rights, get back on
their feet and find and keep a home. They attempt to tackle the root causes
of Britain’s homelessness by campaigning for new laws, policies and
solutions. They also provide advice through their housing centres and
practical help through their many projects.

I hope that you will be able to support these charities by sponsoring us
using the attached sponsorship forms.

(See attached file: TPC_Sponsor form_ver4_220306.pdf)

Thank you very much.

Sam Whiting