Meeting the challenge
In the summer, regulars at Hessel's favourite local, the Wheatsheaf, organised a fund-raising expedition to attempt the notorious Three Peaks 24 hour Challenge. Twelve blokes and two ladies, spanning the ages 29 - 59, with little in common other than they frequent this small pub, decided on a whim that they would attempt this astonishing feat.
Half of them had never even heard of it, and those that had had never done anything like it. The challenge involves going up and down the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) all, almost unbelievably, within 24 hours. Hessel were pleased to sponsor this intrepid (if foolhardy) team. The group spent time exercising as individuals, in small groups, and on training walks as a big group, to get to know one another.
They researched, planned and agonised over routes, provisioning and first aid kit; each individual personally spent £300 - £700 covering accommodation, transport, fuel and food, and lots of very expensive equipment. They took time off work to complete the event, during which they cursed, swore, cajoled and shoved to get everyone up and down the mountains - and they approached friends, family, work colleagues and customers to raise a simply amazing amount of money for great charities.
These people were funny, focused and absolutely committed, they achieved mightily and they can be proud. They have been an inspiration. And they raised a fabulous £20,000 for the Hospice in the Weald and Sands UK.