Striving for the top for ten years
We did it! The Cavendish team has successfully completed the arduous 3 Peaks challenge to celebrate the company’s tenth anniversary.
In just under 24 hours we reached each of the summits of the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon respectively – with a lot of motorway in between.
Our intrepid team of eight climbers and two drivers set off for Scotland on Friday 19 June, ready to tackle our first mountain, Ben Nevis at 5pm. The climbers included Simon Bruce, Patrick Convey, Hugh Davies, Guy Beck, Bryn Davies, Eugene Mahon, Jo Hall and Elliot Lund.
Managing director Simon Bruce said: “This first climb certainly helped to focus our attentions on the job at hand. We were at the mercy of the weather. We faced constant drizzle on the way up and then sleet as we neared the summit. For the last 500ft we walked through around 2ft of snow.
“Luckily, our fantastic support team of Stewart Morgan and Gary Tunstall were ready when we returned to base around 5 hours later at 10pm with warm tea and hot sausages cooked on camping stoves. Within minutes, we were back in the vans ready to drive through the night to Cumbria.”
It was a tired team who arrived at Scafell Pike at 3am on Saturday 20 June. Technical director Patrick Convey said: “Most of us barely slept on our way to the second climb and because of the strict time limit, we had to be ready to jump out of the vans to start climbing within minutes of arriving.
“It was clear at this point that everyone was beginning to feel the strain of exhaustion and sleep deprivation. We pulled together and took strict breaks every hour. We were delighted to reach the summit and return back in just four hours, despite taking a wrong turn in the mist which meant a longer descent than planned!”
Financial adviser Hugh Davies organised the challenge. He said: “It was a very weary group that started the final ascent up Snowdon at 1pm. We had to dig deep to overcome painful injuries and physical exhaustion. I was delighted that after just under 3 hours, the first members of our team had made it back to base.
“The real challenge with this type of trip is that there are so many elements which can go wrong; not only do we have different physical abilities but also varying degrees of experience. Add to that the vagaries of the British weather in three different locations as well as racing against the clock and it soon becomes apparent that despite our best planning, we are reliant on a little good fortune as well!”
The total distance walked was 42kilometres (26miles) with a total ascent of 9,800feet (3000m). The event was organised to raise funds for the Primary Trauma Care Foundation (PTCF), a small UK charity which works to help doctors save lives around the world by implementing training courses in developing countries. Local doctors are given vital knowledge of how to cope with trauma cases with only basic equipment and can then train other health professionals in the area. All PTC courses are provided free to trainees in the developing world.
Simon Bruce concluded: “The team did exceptionally well and showed a commitment to this momentous task from the very start of their training. I’d like to thank them for finding the reserve required to face those arduous conditions and to just keep going. You did a great job!
It is not too late to support the Cavendish Medical 10th Anniversary Charity Challenge. To donate, please visit www.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/22860 or please send a cheque, made payable to Primary Trauma Care Foundation, to Rory McGlinchey at:
Cavendish Medical
1st Floor, Devon House
171 – 177 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5PQ
The outstanding work of Primary Trauma Care was recommended to Cavendish Medical by client Dr Jeanne Frossard, an anaesthetist at University College London Hospitals who has volunteered to teach the PTC course many times.
