Updated on
Sixteen crewmates from HMS Queen Elizabeth put their best foot forward to complete the daunting National Three Peaks Challenge to raise valuable funds.
The group started with the 1,345m Ben Nevis, moved on to scale Scafell Pike (978m), in the Lake District National Park, and then Mount Snowdon (1,085m), all within 24 hours in the heart of winter, as they looked to hit – and surpass – their fundraising target of £3,000.
Organiser Kieran James, 27, a Naval Airman onboard the Navy’s fleet flagship, said: “We all felt strongly that we wished to help raise money for a charity that does so much to support military veterans. It may be one of us – or one of our colleagues – who needs to call on that support in the future.
“We chose to complete the National Three Peaks Challenge as it was, clearly, a good physical test for us, something that would live long in our memories, and, logistically, over and done with quickly.
“It was tough going in places, but we’re trained to overcome such challenges and we achieved it with only a few bruises and blisters to show for it. We’re hoping people will support us in this venture and pledge a few pounds to help us help veterans who have been left with something significantly more substantial than bruises or blisters as a result of serving their country.”
The team comprised organiser James, from Aylesbury; his fellow NA Lewis Nelson, 24, from Southend; NA Rhys Gwilliam, 25, from Llanelli; NA Sean Hainey, 27, from Salford; NA Peter Savage, 33, from Barrow in Furness, NA Lucas Jones, 30, from Burnley; NA Kim Hartley, 25, also from Burnley; Leading Airman Pete Medhurst, 31, from Crewkerne, LA James Milner, 27, from Portsmouth; LA Joe Wrigley, 24, from Great Yarmouth; LAC Mitchell Farr, 24, from Thorndon; Warrant Officer Scott Iszard, 46, Torquay; Chief Petty Officer Ray Richardson, 36, from Newcastle; and Petty Officers Liam Forgeron, 33, from Portsmouth, Wayne Bowring, 40, from Weymouth, and Brian Johnston, 34, from Bolton.
John Carpenter, our Area Fundraising Manager, was full of praise for the group.
He said: “Our thanks go out to the guys from HMS Queen Elizabeth for their sterling efforts. It’s heart-warming to see today’s military personnel putting themselves out for those who trod the path before them.
"Hopefully, none of the team will require support from us in the future, but, if they do, they can rest assured we’ll be there for them as we have been for thousands of others before them.”
You can still donate to support the team’s monumental effort.
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