College staff rise to 3 Peaks challenge! (From Barry And District News)

College staff rise to 3 Peaks challenge!

4:21pm Monday 7th July 2008

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A VALIANT team of ten tutors and staff from Barry College has climbed Britain's three highest mountains to raise money for cancer charity Tenovus.

Mike Jones, Paul Glover, Ron Lucock, Darren Hill and Paul Sebburn from the Construction Department; Gareth James and James Young from Travel & Tourism; and IT Technician Martin Popham picked up the 3 Peaks gauntlet earlier this month.

They were joined by Heather Morrison, also of Travel & Tourism; College Porter Jason Phillips; and a couple of friends.

Tenovus had challenged groups of fit, adventurous walkers to ascend Snowdonia, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in one day to raise a minimum of £1,500.

The team travelled up to Snowdonia first after an encouraging send-off from Principal Paul Halstead, who wished them luck on their endeavour.

Setting off on a clear Saturday morning, the team was allocated five hours for the ascent and descent managed it in an impressive three hours and 12 minutes.

Next up was Scafell Pike, where the team started off at 5.50pm and made it back down by 9.33pm. "What a slog!" Paul Sebburn said.

"We got down just in time for a visit to toilet, dodging the midges, and off we went to Scotland.

"Eating was difficult, sleeping was impossible and getting changed out of smelly clothes was chaos!" The Barry College team then arrived at the big one - Ben Nevis. They had to climb 4,406ft before 8.48am to get to the third peak within the 24 hour target so set off bright and early at 4.07am, just as it was getting light.

When they finally reached the top temperatures were 10 degrees below freezing with 3ft of snow standing at the summit. They finished their adventure at 7.47am after 26 miles of climbing with an hour and ten minutes to spare.

"Ben Nevis was tough - 38 teams took part and we were told that some dropped out," Paul said.

"As we were climbing we came across younger team members throwing up and shaking with fatigue. But all our team members made it to the top despite cramp, arthritis and old age!

"It was a real team effort. Thanks to everyone who sponsored us, and a big thanks to our two drivers Heather and Jason - who knows where we'd have been without them!"

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