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The call came out, and with a cry of "Ain't no mountain high enough!" Rotaract answered.
Deben Rotaract club, representing Rotaract in the UK and Ireland, aiming to raise £5,000 for Sight Savers. The Rotary Mountain Challenge; To climb three mountains, one each in England, Scotland and Wales, in just twenty-four hours.

As well as the physical task, part of the challenge was to raise at least £5,000 along the way to help our parent organisation, Rotary, achieve their aim to help Sight Savers help restore sight to people in the world's poorest countries.

Guess what... We did it.



For all the details (of which a key one involves the figure £5048.87), read the Deben writeup and check out the gallery

Why?

Sight Savers is an international organisation who aim to restore sight to people in the worlds poorest countries, and for those who will never see again, they help them make a better future for themselves. They operate in 26 countries in Asia, the Carrabian and Africa. Sight Savers are celebrating thirty years of partnership with Rotary. The proceeds from this project will go to the '30th Anniversary Rotary African Vision Appeal'. All of the money raised will go straight to the good causes the charity supports, with none used for administration charges.

Who?

Several Rotary teams around the UK will be taking part in the challenge. We provided the Rotaract presence at the event. Our team consisted of seven members of Deben Rotaract, and one from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Two of these (the lucky two?) were the designated drivers. The remaining six went up in the world. About 3000 meters up. Have a look and meet the team.
Many other Rotaractors from RGBI have supported in the fundraising efforts, and we thank them all.

When & Where?

On the 24th & 25th of June 2006, over a period of 24 hours, the team walked up, in order:

  • Stob Ban - Scotland - Part of the Ben Nevis range and coming in at 3277ft (999m), this Munroe is no midget in the land of Haggis.
  • Helvellyn - England - The baby of the bunch, a mere 3118ft (950m). Should be over this and back in time for tea. Maybe.
  • Snowdon - Wales - Saving the best for last... 3560ft (1085m). Gulp. Those Welsh are made of strong stuff if they go up here everytime they want an ice-cube.

To put them in pespective (you'd need to stand a long way back)... It adds up to a little over 3km (1.9 miles) straight up, then of course, the 3km straight down. Fortunately, the route chosen is at a slightly lower angle, but that does also increase the distance we've got to travel! We've put together a bit more information about the event here.

Many Thanks!

Many, many thanks to all those who helped. Be it in equiping us, sponsoring us, donating money and gifts (which were used as raffle prizes), and also for the emotional support and encouragement which was so, so needed. See our sponsors page for details of many of the clubs and organisations that helped.

We'd love to hear from you if you've also walked up any of these mountains. Tell us what you thought of them by mailing mountainchallenge@debenrotaract.org.uk



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