Plaisterers' Hall Event Director Completes 3 Peaks Challenge!

On the 27th August 2011, Peter Strange, Event Director at Plaisterers' Hall, and 11 members of the London City Selection – a marketing consortium put together to showcase the finest venues in the square mile – embarked on the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in 24 hours. They were joined by a member of the Events industry press and 2 venue finding agents in an effort to raise money for Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (Jo's Trust) is the only UK charity dedicated to women and their families affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities.

The challenge began with a mammoth drive from London (picking up each of the walkers respectively en route) all the way to Ben Nevis. Having arrived (exhausted and with aching limbs before we even put the walking boots on!) we posed for a team photo and looked up to see what we assumed to be the summit quickly disappearing into thick cloud.

Still, with a spring in our step coupled with a sense of trepidation we set off in our attempt to claim Scotland's highest peak. Having ascended during a glorious sunset the darkness soon arrived and we finally reached the summit in the pitch black with driving rain, gale force winds, more carbohydrates than any of us had ever consumed before and a real sense of achievement.

Back in the minibus followed by a long drive back to England to tackle the mighty Scafell Pike. With slightly less spring in our step we set off once again, loaded up with energy bars and snacks and successfully reached the summit of England's highest peak with our spirits still intact. Fatigue was beginning to kick in by this stage and a few members were disappointed to find that the Mountain Rescue helicopter flying just above our heads was actually there on a routine training exercise, rather than to whisk the less enthusiastic of us safely back to the cosy pub at Wasdale Head for a welcome rest!

After what seemed like an eternity (owing mainly to a faulty sat nav) we arrived at the car park for Snowdon in the dark and once again set off relying entirely on orienteering skills, as we couldn't see more than a metre in front of us! Having clambered over rocks, crossed fast–flowing gills and picked up a stray walker lost in the dark on the way, we finally reached the summit and posed for our celebratory photo.

Needless to say, we undertook the long drive back to London having successfully completed what we set out to achieve and knowing that in the process we had collectively raised nearly £6.5k for a fantastic charity.

A real team effort and one which I, for one, will never forget.

Now, where's that map of Everest...