Rail Media team completes peaks challenge despite downpour

June 26th 2012

Rail Media fundraisers braved torrential rain to climb three mountains in less than 24 hours for charity.

The four-man team summited Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales - as part of the Three Peaks by Rail challenge for Railway Children.

Organisers described the weather as the worst they had encountered in the challenge's 10-year history, with a month's worth of rain falling on Scafell Pike in just one day.

Asif Ahmed, Paul O’Connor, Craig Smith and Paul Curtis left their warm Bath Street office on June 21 to begin the three-day expedition.

Craig had to go through intense physical rehabilitation to prepare for the challenge following major reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

Craig, account manager, said: "Physically, I felt good all the way through. It was a personal achievement for me because of the knee problems I’ve had over the last few months but just generally the camaraderie of everyone involved was brilliant.

"Walking through the finish line of the third peak, Ben Nevis, was a good feeling, but getting off the top of Scafell in one piece considering the weather conditions was even better."

More than 50 teams from across the rail industry took part in the challenge, travelling to each mountain on a train service run specially for the charity event.

The Three Peaks Challenge has raised more than £1.3 million for the Railway Children charity, which helps protect and support street children around the world.

This year's trek has raised £170,000 to date.

Paul Curtis, sales manager, said: "When I interviewed everybody on the way home a lot of people were like 'no way I'd do that again' and on reflection today, I would happily sign up again. It was just an amazing experience."

Other fundraising activities offered by the charity include parachuting, white water rafting, a trek to Machu Picchu, a walk across the Great Wall of China and cycling across India.

"Lots and lots of people say congratulations and well done, and they like your status on Facebook, but for me it's not about liking the status, it's about getting the credit card out, clicking a button and changing someone's life."

For more information about the charity or to make a donation visit: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

To donate through Rail Media's page please click here

Read more at Rail.co

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