Nursery staff swapped little children for big mountains after joining forces to complete the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.
Colleagues from Ely’s Cathedral View Childcare took on the energy-sapping challenge and raised £3,800 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). With Gift Aid, it took their total to a whopping £4,600.
After starting in the south at Pen y Fan, the group moved onto Cadair Idris and finished at Snowdon, in the process trekking 17 miles and climbing a total of 7,657 feet – all within just 24 hours.
The challenge, which began as a throwaway comment during a staffroom chat, was organised by nursery owner and manager Hayley Pierson, whose sister is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at EACH’s hospice in Milton.
“It was an amazing experience, although not without hiccups,” she said.
“In terms of beating the clock, it went down to the wire, and we only just completed our challenge in 24 hours.
“We had problems with shoes falling apart, coupled with horrendous weather, which cost us valuable time.
“However, we got there in the end, and I was so proud of our brilliant team, as well as being thankful to the parents, friends, family and businesses that so generously supported us.
“Some of the team have their own health challenges, and we knew the only way we’d get through it was to support each other.
“It was a genuine team effort, and no-one raced ahead. Instead, there was lots of stopping, waiting and supporting each other.
“When soles fell off shoes, team members even swapped footwear, and I heard so much cheering and encouragement, which made it a very special experience.”
The group – ten colleagues, plus four members of family and friends – signed up for the challenge before picking their chosen charity, booking their accommodation and minibus and arranging a practice trek in the Peak District.
They then decided to support EACH – a charity Hayley knows well.
“It made complete sense, because it’s a local charity and there’s a common link with what we do here at Cathedral View, in that everything we do is for the children we care for,” she said.
“It’s obviously a cause I know lots about through my sister, too.
“She isn’t one to talk too much about her work, but I know the hospices are amazing places, and the care team must be very strong, special people to do the job they do.
“It’s an incredibly good cause and one we all have such time and respect for.”
Hayley said the challenge was mentally and physically draining.
Pen y Fan was like a “bog”, given heavy rain, while the hardest part of the challenge was Cadair Idris.
“We had to walk the second mountain in complete darkness, which was very disorientating,” she said.
“It’s the steepest climb of them all, and the only light came from our headtorches.
“We didn’t know where the edge of the mountain was, so had to concentrate very hard. It was exhausting.”
The team recently handed over their cheque to Sam Woo, EACH’s Senior Corporate Fundraiser for Cambridge and North Essex.
Sam said: “It was fantastic to meet Hayley and her brilliant team from Cathedral View.
“It sounds like an epic experience, albeit physically and mentally draining.
“They have our upmost respect and sincere thanks, because donations like this make such an enormous difference to our vital work across Cambridgeshire and the rest of East Anglia.”
To show your support and sponsor the team, click here.
