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News staff conquer peaks to honour George

A team of news staff from around the country are recovering this week after climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – one after the other!

Journalists from the Western Daily Press, Bristol Evening Post and Bristol Observer, and staff from Northcliffe Electronic Publishing in Derby, left the comfort of their air-conditioned offices to take on the Three Peaks Challenge in memory of former features editor George Frew.

And in a time of just 36 hours, the 20-strong team of walkers were able to conquer the heights of Ben Nevis (4,406ft), Scafell Pike (3,205ft) and Snowdon (3,560ft).

The event paid tribute to former Western Daily Press journalist George, who last year lost his battle with lung cancer, and was organised by Steve White, who had worked closely with George.

  • Bristol climbers Dave Edler, Dawn Gorman
    and Steve White ascending Snowdon
  • Steve said: “In the last few weeks of his life George mentioned several times to me that he felt terribly guilty that he would never be able to repay those who had helped him during his illness – particularly the Newspaper Press Fund and medical staff.

    “I promised I would organise an event in his name with a view to raising funds for those he felt indebted to.

    “I took a print-out of a photograph of George with us on the trip and put him in my pocket, so he was with us all the way!”

    The team of high climbers were led by three experts and aided by a band of dedicated drivers who ferried them between the peaks.

  • NEP’s Larissa Chapman, Ian Buckley, Ollie Sanderson, Nic Heppenstall, Simon Hodson and
    Debbie Heard at base camp Ben Nevis
  • They began their journey at Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands at around 2am on Saturday, and after going on to tackle Scafell Pike in Cumbria, they completed their challenge at Snowdon in North Wales just after 2pm on Sunday.

    Steve said: “It went extremely well and we achieved everything we went for without any injuries or accidents.

    “A couple of people had problems with Ben Nevis and so missed out Scafell Pike before going on to do Snowdon, and everyone else was able to complete all three.

    “I think there were times when we all felt that it was too much, and Scafell Pike was the worst because we had to come down in darkness, but we were very lucky with the weather.

    “Everyone did very well and deserves congratulations – including the drivers who faced a 1,200-mile round-trip.”

  • It is hoped that around £10,000 in sponsorship has been raised from the challenge, which will be split between the Newspaper Press Fund and Cancer Research.

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