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View Gallery The weekend of the 9th & 10th of May saw 38 teams from the construction industry take part in the 7th COINS 3 Peaks Challenge. Tackling the highest mountain in Scotland, England and Wales and despite these challenging economic times pledging over £260,000 to the project work of the COINS Foundation.
Teams and their support crew arrived at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre in Fort William on Saturday morning with an air of excitement and trepidation as they looked up to the view of snow covered mountains. The rain wasn’t putting anyone off and after receiving an event beanie hat and a series of briefings, teams were all kitted up and ready to start their ascent of Ben Nevis (1,334m). Teams were graced with good views below 900 meters but beyond this point the snow blizzard, treacherous conditions underfoot from the snow that had fallen in recent days and low visibility meant for the first time in the history of the event it was too dangerous for teams to continue to the summit.
After a safe descent, teams hit the road as support crew drove their teams through the night, heading for the Lake District crack of dawn start for mountain number two - Scafell Pike (978m). Well known for being the toughest, if not the highest, climb in the challenge, with boulder fields to navigate. Despite this climb being in the very early hours, all teams toughed it out with smiles or grimaces we’re not sure!
Then it was time for the last leg of the journey, courtesy of the fantastic support crews, to North Wales and the last peak on the list - Snowdon (1,085m). The weather on Snowdon was kind to the teams although the summit was draped in cloud and there was a cold sharp wind, efforts were rewarded with stunning views across Wales and the ocean in the distance. Then it was time to make the final descent to the much anticipated finish line where all were cheered in by their support crew, fellow teams, COINS staff, the GCUK team and event volunteers.
First home were Stephensons Group in a time of 17hrs 46mins swiftly followed by Shepherd Construction 18hrs 8mins and Pinset Masons 18hrs 56mins. Twenty teams successfully completed the challenge in less than 24 hours this year.* COINS rewarded all participants with commemorative t-shirts, medals and their certificate of achievement.
Larry Sullivan, President of the COINS Foundation and COINS Chairman thanked all the teams for re-doubling their efforts to take part this year and raising funds at a time where the industry is still largely reeling from the impact of the credit crunch. He assured all participants that the COINS foundation receives strong guidance from patrons including Lord Joel Joffe, Paul Collier (author of Bottom Billion) and Jeremy Hunt MP and that 100% of the money they raised would be going to incredibly worthwhile projects building schools, hospital and homes in Africa.
Ric Law, COINS Foundation CEO echoed Larry’s thanks and explained further that the COINS Foundation is all about construction but that the legacy is not the buildings themselves but thriving, sustainable communities. Ric went onto explain how funds would be spent this year. Project priotiries this year include providing housing for hundreds of orphans and vunerable childrens in Mozambique; physiotherapy, play and family support programmes for disabled children in the UK and Zambia. Health programmes combating HIV aids, Malaria and illnesses resulting from poor sanitation in Zambia and Tanzania; Projects to train and employ orphaned youth in Rwanda and disabled young people in Zambia and a place at school for over 1,200 children in Kenya, Zambia and Uganda. For more information on the COINS Foundation projects keep an eye on the web site www.coinsfoundation.org
To round off the event teams who had made the highest fundraising pledges were presented with recognition awards by Derek Leaver, COINS CEO and Ric Law. The team pledging the most was Stephensons £18,100, with Osborne pledging £17,500 and Costain £16,000 competition remains tight for the 2009 highest fundraising company – which will be awarded in October at the Peaks and Dragons Ball. If you would like to take part in the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge 2010, you can Register Now.
Our special thanks to;
The Global Challenge team, all our event volunteers particularly Mark Ward, Simon Davies and Roger Beck who give their time freely, the mountain marshals and first aiders.
2009 Pledges & Official Times
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