• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Tuesday June 24 2014

Lawyers’ fundraising scales new heights

Lawyers from Swindon and Marlborough-based Withy King have helped raise over £9,000 for charity by completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge.

The team took part in the challenge, running, walking and hobbling their way to the top of Ben Nevis (1344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1085m), the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales.

The first group to complete the challenge comprised Ali Cloak, Mark Hambleton, Laura Podger, Andy Williams, Pam Howell and Richard Gorham, who crossed the finishing line in 22 hours, six minutes.

Ali Cloak, a clinical negligence solicitor at Withy King, said: “I am so proud of my team and all my colleagues for taking this on. You don’t realise quite how tough it’s going to be until you do it.

“The adventure began at 4am so we could catch our flights to Glasgow, ready to climb the first mountain, Ben Nevis, that afternoon. We fought our way through fog and snowfields to reach the top before driving 250 miles to Cumbria to start climbing Scafell Pike at 3.30am, in the pitch dark.

“By the time we got to Snowdon, the sun was blazing and we had to climb to the top in 24 degree heat. I’m really pleased to be able to say that we did it though – and with almost two hours to spare.”

Chris Kane, a partner at Withy King who also took part, said: “It was a tremendous team effort and a great experience for everyone involved. A lack of sleep, physical and mental exhaustion and several minor injuries provided plenty of challenges along the way but I am immensely proud of the way everyone pulled together and got through it.

“I think I got one hour’s sleep over a 48 hour period, so I’m amazed I managed to help navigate the route and complete the challenge. We are delighted to have raised over £9,000 for our three chosen charities during this one event and are grateful to Withy King for covering our costs and helping to make it possible.”

Withy King has arranged a whole host of activities as part of its Summer of Sport in aid of its three chosen charities: The RUH Forever Friends Appeal, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and Headway Oxford. Every penny donated will be going to the charities.

To support Withy King’s Summer of Sport for charity, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/withykingsummerofsport

And for a video of the challenge, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgfy3VMLC3Y