The Three Peaks Challenge Information Pack

24-26 June 2016 Put your best foot forward

Tie up your laces and join us to tackle our Three Peaks Challenge, where you will climb the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland in just 36 hours. Climbing a total ascent of 9,800ft, this exhilarating challenge will test your limits, both physically and mentally, giving you a real sense of achievement. Be part of our exuberant team and enjoy idyllic scenery as you take on the steep ascents and descents of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis. This demanding, but breathtaking adventure, will give you picture perfect moments and memories to last a lifetime. With plenty of laughs along the way, this adventure is one for the bucket list – an opportunity not to be missed!

Lydia Reed – Three Peaks Challenge organiser

“The Three Peaks Challenge is a tough and testing weekend, but it really is an incredible experience. From start to finish, the event is filled with laughter, new friendships, stunning scenery and mountain-high team spirit.”

“A real highlight of the challenge is climbing Scafell Pike through the night as it sparks so much excitement amongst the team. Finishing by summiting Ben Nevis brings a feeling of accomplishment that you’ll never forget.”

“I’m incredibly excited to be involved in this fantastic event again in 2016. As Challenge Organiser I am here to take care of all the arrangements, leaving you free to concentrate on walking, enjoying the breath-taking scenery and raising funds to help fight meningitis in the UK.”

“I look forward to welcoming you to the team soon.”

[email protected] 01453 769021 www.meningitisnow.org/threepeaks £550 one week respite to give a carer a break from caring

2 | Three Peaks Challenge About the challenge

Taking place over the course of a June weekend, Well-deserved celebrations follow in Fort William, a double-decker bus becomes your home as it where a hot meal and comfy bed await, not to transports you across the country. mention a few celebratory drinks to be shared with new-found friends. Friday morning we start bright and early, heading to Snowdon in North Wales, where we begin our The Three Peaks challenge is physically demanding, challenge with the smallest of the three peaks. A but if you are reasonably fit, can cope with minimal short rest ensues as we travel to the beautiful Lake sleep and are prepared to put in time training, then District and, with head torches to guide us, you are more than able to complete the trek. we tackle Scafell Pike through the night. Come on your own and make new friends, or With just one mountain left to climb, we travel persuade a group of friends, family or colleagues to north to Scotland and to Britain’s highest mountain join you in this amazing experience! You will be left - Ben Nevis. Reaching a height of 1,329m, this is with tales to tell, snaps to share and memories to the toughest hike of the three. Team spirit will be last a lifetime. high as the mountain is itself and you’ll support each other through the final leg of the challenge.

“Completing the Three Peaks was tough. It took a lot of grit and determination but the encouragement from the team and the sense of achievement at the top made it worth every minute. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!” Natasha Neal, 2015 participant

3 | Three Peaks Challenge How to join the Three Peaks Challenge team

To take part in this unforgettable challenge, all you need to do is pay a £75 non- refundable registration fee and raise the minimum sponsorship amount of £500.

Sign up online at www.meningitisnow.org/threepeaks Contact Lydia by phone at 01453 769021 Request more information at [email protected] Our indispensable safety team – there to help and guide you What’s included? safely through your challenge, while making We take care of all the arrangements throughout the challenge weekend, your experience one leaving you free to concentrate on enjoying the experience. remember • The support of a qualified mountain leader and experienced safety team • Accommodation with evening meal (Saturday) and breakfast (Sunday) • Free pick-up and drop-off at Cheltenham, Bristol and Oswestry (pick-up only) • Transport between all peaks • Packed lunches on both walking days • Continual fundraising support, advice and materials to help you reach your minimum pledge • Invitation to one of our training days in the lead up to the challenge • Facebook page for you and your team mates • Training, dietary and equipment tips • 15% Cotswold Outdoor discount

Where do we stay?

After our descent of Ben Nevis, we’ll retire to a local hotel in Fort £800 William for a celebratory meal, hot shower and a good night’s sleep. The hotel we use is fairly basic, but clean and comfortable. can pay for a specialist laptop Accommodation will be in twin rooms. computer for a person left with severe after-effects of meningitis. Access to a computer and the internet can enable a person to live more independently and prevent isolation through communicating with friends.

4 | Three Peaks Challenge Itinerary

Friday 24 June Total distance to conquer 0500 Pick-up Bristol- Cribbs Causeway - Travelodge (M5) 25.6 miles 0545 Pick-up Cheltenham - Travelodge (M5) 0745 Pick-up Oswestry - Travelodge (A5) Total height to climb 0930 Arrive Llanberis Pass 2,932m Climb Snowdon 1430 Depart Snowdon Total walking time 1615 Arrive service station for evening meal 19hrs approx 1915 Depart service station 2000 Arrive Seatoller Climb Scafell Pike

Saturday 25 June 0430 Depart Seatoller 0545 Arrive service station for breakfast 0645 Depart service station 1145 Arrive Fort William Climb Ben Nevis 2200 Celebratory meal at hotel

Sunday 26 June 0800 Breakfast 0900 Group presentation and photographs 0945 Depart Fort William 1515 Arrive Tebay Service Station for lunch 1600 Depart Tebay Service Station 2015 Drop off Cheltenham 2100 Drop off Bristol

NB. Timings are subject to traffic, weather conditions and the overall fitness level of the group. If there are opportunities to get ahead of schedule we will do so and this itinerary should therefore be treated as an approximate guide.

5 | Three Peaks Challenge Why support Meningitis Now?

We put people at the heart of everything we do. We exist to save lives and rebuild futures by funding research, raising awareness and supporting people affected by meningitis.

Did you know?

• There are an estimated 3,200 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia each year in the UK*. By doing the • Up to 6,000 people each year suffer from viral meningitis. Three Peaks Challenge for Meningitis Now, • Meningitis and septicaemia can affect anyone of any age, you will help at any time. Babies and young children are most at risk, and us fight this young people between 15 and 24 are also a higher risk group. dreaded disease.

* Estimated annual average cases between 2000 and 2010 for all meningitis types.

KELLY’S On 8th September 2013 I lost my mum to meningitis STORY

“Nothing could have prepared me for this and to this day I still struggle to come to terms with life without her. “I wanted to do something to stop other families going through the same pain and heartache mine went through, and so decided to sign up to the Three Peaks Challenge with the aim of raising as much money as possible for Meningitis Now. “The Challenge also gave me something to focus on and work towards at a really difficult time in my life. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’d never taken part in any sort of challenge like this before, but I had nothing to worry about. The team was absolutely amazing right from start to finish. “It was tough, especially with my dodgy knees, but everyone was so supportive; strapping me up, carrying my bag and even at one point practically dragging me to the top of Ben Nevis. But I did it, and I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable and most memorable experience of my life!” £1,000 can provide vital laboratory equipment 6 | Three Peaks Challenge for our researchers. We are here to help you - FAQs

What is the minimum age requirement? Will I have to carry my kit? Participants must be 18 years or over on Friday Yes, your kit should be divided into two bags; a 24 June 2016 to take part in the challenge. 25-30 litre rucksack that you will take with you up each mountain and a second bag containing spare Am I fit enough? clothing, food etc., which you can leave on the The challenge is an intense two days of exercise, so coach. It is helpful to walk with a pack on your back we recommend that anyone taking part – no matter during your training to get used to carrying the how fit you already are - spends some time training extra weight. beforehand. With the appropriate preparation, anyone can complete the challenge successfully. What kind of support will I receive? Our events team will be supporting you in the run If you are in any way worried about your health or up to the challenge, offering practical advice to fitness, please consult your doctor before signing prepare you for the trek and fundraising tips and up to the challenge. ideas. What do I need to provide? During the challenge a fully-qualified safety team • £75 non-refundable registration fee and pledge will accompany the group. The safety team are to raise at least £500 in sponsorship experienced mountaineers. There will be a member • Travel to/from your chosen pick up point of the safety team at the front of the group and • Your own kit another at the back. There will also be a support • Personal travel insurance at your discretion vehicle stationed at the foot of each mountain in (see Terms & Conditions for details) case anyone should need to come down from the • Money to pay for your service station meals - mountains early or is unable to complete the trek. dinner on Friday, breakfast on Saturday, lunch on The safety team will be only too happy to answer Sunday and drinks at the hotel. any questions you may have, address any concerns Where will we stay? and provide advice throughout the challenge. We will spend Friday evening climbing Scafell What if I get an injury on the mountains? Pike so no accommodation will be needed. On the Your safety team leader will be first aid qualified completion of the challenge we will be staying and will carry the appropriate safety kit for this at a hotel in Fort William. Accommodation will be activity. The leader’s primary role is to ensure your provided in twin rooms. If you would like to share safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their with anyone else on the challenge, please request guidance and instructions. this on your registration form. How do we travel between the mountains? Do I need specialist kit? Meningitis Now provides transport in the form of The most important item of kit is a good pair of a double-decker coach which will transport the sturdy, well broken-in walking boots. If you are participants and the safety team from mountain to buying new boots for the challenge, you must mountain. break them in well beforehand.

The weather in the mountains can change quickly, it can be unpredictable and therefore you need to come equipped for all conditions. Further can pay for a family to adapt their information about the required kit is included in garden so it is safe for their child your registration pack. to play outdoors. Children affected by meningitis can be left with severe physical disabilities and 7 | Three Peaks Challenge these limit opportunities for them £2,500 to play safely outdoors. We are here to help you - FAQs

How will I raise the £500 minimum sponsorship? It is ok to feel a little anxious about raising this amount, but do not worry. Once you start, fundraising has a habit of gathering speed and most people are usually pleasantly surprised at How do I sign up? people’s generosity. To sign up to the challenge, visit Fundraising can be fun too! There are many ways www.meningitisnow.org/threepeaks to raise money - through your family, friends and If you have any further queries about colleagues, by organising fundraisers, or by asking signing up, please call Lydia on companies and businesses to support you. You may 01453 769021 or email have to do more than ask for names on sponsor [email protected] forms, but don’t worry, we will provide you with detailed fundraising advice and materials.

Does Gift Aid count towards my fundraising target? Unfortunately, the tax claimed on Gift Aid donations cannot be used towards your fundraising target. This is because the payment comes from the government and cannot be guaranteed. However, you should encourage your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box if they are UK tax payers, as this is an important source of additional income for us.

What happens if I can’t raise the pledged amount? You need to think carefully about how you will raise the amount. Your signed pledge is a commitment to raise the money. There are many costs involved in running the event so, as a charity, we need to ensure we not only raise as much as possible for those we support, but also cover costs.

Remember, we are here to help and won’t leave you on your own. Whether you need fundraising advice or experience unforeseen difficulties, please let us know. It is often easier to raise sponsorship online through Just Giving or Virgin Money Giving. This means you can email the page to lots of people and don’t have to collect cash, as sponsors donate by credit or debit card.

8 | Three Peaks Challenge saving lives, rebuilding futures

I hope to welcome you to our team Find out more today:

01453 769021

[email protected]