The English UK team is climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in just 24 hours in memory of late Chief Executive Eddie Byers.
We hope to raise £15,000 for a scholarship fund in Eddie's name with a sponsored walk of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, travelling between the three peaks by minibus to complete the challenge in time.
Eddie, who had been chief executive for just 18 months when he died last November, was passionate about the chances education brings, and was keen to create an English UK scholarship to support our charitable objectives. His scholarship will support individuals for whom English language study will be transformative, changing their lives and their community for the better.
"We wanted to raise the money for Eddie's scholarship fund, and do something big for him as well," said organiser Jodie Gray, English UK's head of new market development. "Eddie used to say to us: go big or go home. This is big, but achievable. It will be a real challenge: we'll need to be fit, determined and resilient to do this in 24 hours with not much sleep and everything the mountains can throw at us."
Reasons for choosing the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the memorial fund included that it covers three of the four English UK nations (and the team hopes for a glimpse of the fourth) and it begins in the Scottish Highlands, which were very dear to Eddie.
Ten of the extended English UK team are taking on the full challenge, while half a dozen others will be joining for the final Snowdon leg.
They will be joined on Ben Nevis by members of the Byers' family, including Eddie's wife, Sam.
The 24-hour challenge, which begins at 17:30 on Friday 16 September, involves 3,049m of climb, 23 miles of trekking, and 489 miles by road in between the three peaks. Walkers will ascend Ben Nevis and Snowdon in the light, starting the walk up Scafell Pike at 4:30am before dawn breaks.
The team is keen to raise as much sponsorship as possible for the scholarship fund and are grateful for all contributions.
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