3 mountains in one day? Sounds like a gruelling task and that is exactly what it was for a group of climbers from Whittlesey. 20 individuals set out to climb Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingelborough, known as the Yorkshire Three Peaks. They form part of the Pennine range and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Jason Osborne has been setting challenges in recent years to raise money for the charity Defibrillators For All. Previously Jason has walked from coast to coast, climbed Scafell pike, and Snowdon, but this was the hardest challenge to date.
Defibrillators For All has annual costs of £10,000 per year to maintain the public access defibrillators in Whittlesey, and screen 100 young people each year for undiagnosed heart conditions. Every year Jason invites local people to get involved by either taking part or supporting those that get involved in the challenges.
This year the climbers, aged 18 to 62, spent just under 3 months preparing for the climb. Local people donated funds, water and energy bars to keep the climbers fuelled. Some of the climbers were unable to complete all 3 mountains due to sickness, sprained ankle, blisters and fatigue, But the majority went on to complete all 3 with the last climbers coming in to the finish after 14 hours!
The group raised almost £4,000 to support the charity.
The most commonly heard statement the following day was “never again” as each climber found moving very painful. But true to form as soon as another adventure was mentioned for next year almost all the climbers wanted to know more!
Deborah Slator from Defibrillators For All said “We are once again very grateful to Jason Osborne and the climbers. Most of the climbers had not attempted anything as strenuous before but were real heroes on the day. The support they gave each other helped them throughout the day. We also had 2 support vehicles at rendezvous points around the course for the climbers. There were lots of blisters, bruises and even some black toenails to go along with their stiff muscles. They really deserved every penny of the sponsor money they raised. Defibrillators For All could not continue to do everything it does without the support of the community, so once again thank you”
Jason Osbourne said “What a great achievement to everyone who took part in this event, it doesn’t matter how much planning you put into something it will only work if people turn up and put 100% effort in to it, which they did. I really enjoyed the day at was a tough event and everyone should be very proud of what they did. When the pain goes away I’m sure they will be ready for something else.
Jason Osbourne said “What a great achievement to everyone who took part in this event, it doesn’t matter how much planning you put into something it will only work if people turn up and put 100% effort in to it, which they did. I really enjoyed the day at was a tough event and everyone should be very proud of what they did. When the pain goes away I’m sure they will be ready for something else.