Climb every mountain
By Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
If the news desks of the combined electrical media seemed a little quiet in May then here’s the reason why – we were busy scaling the three highest peaks in the UK, all in the name of charity.
On the weekend of 8-9 May I was joined by Joe Bush (Electrical Engineering), Jonathan Cole (Professional Electrician), Michael Crane (Electrical Contracting News), Ben Cronin, Steve Hardiman and Hazel Swain (Electrical Times) in the 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge which saw us walk to the top of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.
The ‘Off Peak Electricity’ team managed a very respectable time of 14 hours and 10 minutes and completed the overall challenge (including driving and pit stops for food and fuel) in a time of 27 hours and 50 minutes.
I could forgive you for thinking that this sounds above and beyond the call of duty because there aren’t many things that would stir us collectively from our desks to spend nearly 28 hours together walking up mountains and eating and sleeping in a minibus.
In fact this was all in aid of our industry charity the EEIBA.
EEIBA
The EEIBA is the only charity that exists to help those in hardship and distress who work, or have worked, in the electrical and electronics industries and their dependants.
They provide help and support to all age groups, from the yougest child to the oldest pensioner, anywhere in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
As many readers of Electrical Wholesaler will already be aware, the EEIBA is enduring a lean period at the moment due to a drastic drop in donations and soaring applications for assistance, and it needs as much financial help as the industry can muster – which is why we decided to join together and support them in their hour of need.
A huge success
It was a very gruelling challenge, with over 25 miles of walking and climbing of some 10,000 feet and I personally disliked walking up Scafell Pike in the dark at 1am (who wouldn’t).
But while it was hard work at the time, we are delighted to have raised over £4,400 as a team, money which will go towards helping those in our industry who have fallen on hard times.
We couldn’t have done this without the help of the industry and a special thank you goes to NICEIC who generously donated the money for our entrance fee, Renault who supplied us with a minibus for the event and Wieland Electric who donated the money for fuel – because of them every pound that we raised has gone to the EEIBA.
Make a donation
You’ve read the story and seen the pictures and for those of you that would like to make a donation there is still time – simply go to our online fundraising page at: www.justgiving.com/eeiba3peaks or contact Tracey Rushton-Thorpe if you would prefer to make a donation by cheque.
Please give generously – we really would like to end this challenge with a fundraising total of over £5,000 and however large or small your donation every bit will be gratefully received.
Thanks for your support
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generous support – the money which you have donated has made this challenge truly worthwhile.
Special thanks go to the following companies who donated £250 or more: Wieland Electric, VPhase plc, Eaton Electrical, Scolmore, Timeguard, UK Credit and Henderson Insurance Brokers.