Charity Hitchhike for Sue Ryder

14 September 2009

Congratulations to Jonny and Tim who successfully completed one very difficult challenge for Sue Ryder. The challenge was to hitchhike up Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis without paying for food, accomodation or transport. Here is how it went:

"After 6 days, 3 peaks and 35 lifts we completed our hitch and returned to Reading on 7th September. Starting on the Fairmile in Henley we were picked up by Andy and his daughter Ellie who had read about us in the Henley Standard. The first evening we managed to make it to Snowdon where we were picked up by Stell and her Family. After chatting for a bit they invited us to stay in their home and fed us. In the morning we left our bags and climbed up Snowdon. Conditions were fairly good, with the clouds setting in about two thirds of the way up. Upon return we were treated to a pie and chips compliments of the Snowdon railway before setting off again to catch another lift.

That afternoon we made our way to Lymm where it got late which meant we had to camp for the night at Lymm Services. After a cooked breakfast from the truckers cafe we set off towards the lakes, reaching Keswick about midday. We left our bags at a camping spot halfway up Scafell Pike and made a dash to the summit. Visibility was great and there were some amazing views, before we returned to camp lower down the mountain. The followig morning, undeterred by the rain we hitched into Keswick where we dried off and showered in a Youth Hostel.

A few lucky lifts later we were at a campsite just north of Loch Lomond. After a wet night we got some early hitches all the way to Fort William, where we left our bags to ascend Ben Nevis. The climb was long, taking about 6 and a half hours with clouds at the top but little wind. We quickly packed our stuff and went back to Fort William where we attempted to find a lift. Just as we were about to give up for the night we were picked up by a couple making their way on their honeymoon. After getting dropped off in Stirling we stayed with one of Jonny's university friends for the night. Well rested we decided to hitchhike towards Edinburgh. On the M74 we had a lucky break and got a lift in the back of a van all the way to Stoke, where we were picked up again and dropped just outside Chippenham on the M4. It was getting late and again, we were about to turn in when we were picked up by our first lorry of the trip and taken all the way to Reading.

The whole trip was an amazing experience, meeting some incredible people and encountering unbelievable kindness. We acheived our goal of completing the trip without paying for food or accomodation, although this was easier in some places than others! Most importantly we have managed to exceed our target of £1000 and would like to thank everyone who has sponsored us for your generous donations. Our justgiving page is still open and any donations will be greatfully received, simply got to www.justgiving.com/threepeakhitchhike"

A BIG BIG thank you to Jonny and Tim for underataking such a fantastic challenge for Sue Ryder! If you would like to take on a similar challenge simply contact Gabriela on 01491 641 070 or email: gabriela.potworowska@sueryder.org

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