A team from Premier Group have taken to the heights of the 3 tallest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales to raise funds for Enable Ability.
The Fareham-based commercial fit out & Construction contractor, who have clients including Oliver Bonas, Paul Smith, Gant and Toni & Guy, took a team of 10 budding mountaineers to complete the 24-hour challenge over the coronation weekend at the beginning of May. Climbers included some of Premier Groups own members of staff, which included Managing Director Adrian Donald, Finance Director Claire Donald, and their Client Brendan Kelly of Oliver Bonas.
Training for the adventurous challenge started just after Christmas and healthy eating became part of the group’s daily regime to ensure they were fit and ready for the challenge ahead. Three team members had injuries leading up to the May bank holiday weekend, but only one didn’t make the final team. Adrian said: “It was a shame for someone to have to drop out, but luckily Jake jumped in and took the space 2 days before we were meant to leave.”
The 26 mile (total horizontal distance) and 3,000 metre (total ascent) challenge was completed in great time- with the whole 3 Peaks being completed in just under 24 hours. The team completed Ben Nevis in 5 hours 20 minutes, when on average it takes between 7-8 hours.
Adrian commented: “We were a group of completely different abilities and ages. At one point, we lost Jack going up Scafell Pike in the dark and we didn’t think he’d make it. A short while later, he summited all on his own- with a picture to prove it! The team that climbed with me were incredible – the younger ones especially just smashed it!”
The team described the weather being different at all 3 mountains:
“Climbing Ben Nevis when we first started was warm, yet when we reached the top it was snowy (obviously a lot colder too). At Scafell, it was raining 80% of the time, so coming down the slippery grass track actually made it harder for us, and even though we were wearing head torches, you could only see about 10ft in front of you. Snowden was the most difficult mountain- we arrived there at 6am, and by then the morale had become quite low. We were really tired but, once we got going the sun came out, and determination was great once again.”
Adrian, was also caught out donning shorts during the challenge: “Once you get going, you get so hot that wearing shorts was my only option. The down side though, is all the snow filled my boots as I had no trousers to stop it from coming in- I ended up with very wet feet, and a lot of blisters!”
When asked if they’d do it again, Adrian said: “Oh definitely! No amount of training can really prepare you for that. If I were to do it again, I’d practice by actually climbing a mountain – some of the team are planning a return to Scafell Pike to climb in daylight. It is a great sense of achievement though, and something I and many of the team have ticked off our bucket lists. Now we just need to think of the next big challenge… Maybe Kilimanjaro – now that looks amazing, so watch this space!
Premier Group came on board as a corporate partner for Enable Ability in 2022, starting with the Great South Run, and through online donations, Premier Group have raised £5610 with their 3 Peaks Challenge! Adrian said: “The support has been incredible. The sums of money donated have been very generous, from corporate companies to family and friends. We are overwhelmed with the support.”
Partnerships and Events Officer, Hollie, from Enable Ability says:
“To have this level of support is just fantastic! We have so many thanks to give- the biggest to Premier Group for supporting us so well, but also to each and every individual and business that supported Premier Group with their walk. We are blown away! Well done and thank you to Adrian, Claire, Sharon, Steve, Jake, Brendan, Jack, Thomas, Dale and Bailey for doing such an amazing job tackling the 3 Peaks Challenge- we are so grateful to you all!”
Find out more about Premier Group by visiting www.premiergroup.co.uk To donate to their 3 Peaks fundraising page, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-group1
If you’d like to join in and raise money for Enable Ability, please contact Hollie, Partnerships and Events Officer at together@enableability.org.uk
