On Saturday 31st may at 4.30am our group set off from Newton Aycliffe on route to Scotland’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. After a long drive and a quick photo opportunity eight set off up the mountain.
Although one picked up a knee injury everyone made it to the summit and were rewarded with amazing views over the surrounding area. The decent was slower but we made it down and set off to our base camp in the Lake District where our support team, Joe & Anne Shields and Gayle Gardiner, had tents set up and waiting.
Day two saw the group travel the short distance to climb Scafell Pike. We were lucky with the weather. and against all odds our injured member had their knee strapped up and soldiered on; Scafell has a mixture of some difficult terrain so this was even more impressive. Everyone made the summit and returned safely to camp where our support team had food ready to serve.
Our final day saw a 4 am start and a long drive for drivers, Hazel and Chris. We arrived at Mount Snowdon to find the peak shrouded in cloud. Regardless we pushed on and made good time up the trail. Everyone was supporting each other and the banter between the group took your mind off aching feet.
Early that afternoon we all reached the summit of the final of the three peaks. Some of us really had to dig deep on that last push and it was impressive to watch that determination.Everyone would like to thank the support team and drivers – we couldn’t do this without them.
Meanwhile, in a very different setting, Vikki and Terry Anderson, owners of ‘CrossFit All Out’, the new strength and conditioning gym on Aycliffe Business Park, dreamed of holding community events to give something back and host a summer BBQ at their own ‘CrossFit box’ for over 2 years…and on this weekend their dream finally became reality on Sunday 1st June when they supported the registered charity MADATHLON.
Vikki planned and organised the charity Fun Day event with support from Claire’s best friend Laura Lineton, a member of CrossFit All Out. Vikki says “the amount of support from local businesses providing fun activities for children attending the event, as well as some fantastic raffle prizes, has been truly overwhelming. All our members have supported and helped us so much in running the event, we are very grateful to have shared such a special day with so many people for such a great local charity, in memory of Claire. It’s been an absolute pleasure from start to finish.”
The fun day raised £886 alone, with a bouncy castle from Bounceabout and Play, camper van rides by Go Retro vehicle hire, special guests Iron Man, 3 Disney princesses, glitter tattoos, face painting, BBQ and lots of sweet treats!
CrossFit All Out members endured the 20 minute ‘AMRAP’ (as many rounds as possible) CrossFit WOD (workout of the day) named “Claire” which consisted of rounds of exercises signifying the years of Claire’s life 1982 – 2012 (19 burpees + 82 jumping jacks + 20 cal row + 12 box jump-overs).
The additional sponsorships for CrossFit All Out members who took part in the 12 hour WODATHON (20 minute workouts relayed by members from 7am – 7pm) will take the grand total to well over £1100. Members stayed to support each other and the final leg of the 12 hour WODATHON ended at 7pm, in a very emotional moment for all involved but was celebrated with a glass of fizz!
MADATHLON charity have thanked Vikki and Terry for all their hard work in raising the cash which will go towards purchasing 2 new ‘blood bikes’. The bikes are used to transport organs and blood donations/samples to hospitals and whilst there are currently 4 bikes, 2 are regularly in need of repair so it will be a great improvement to have 2 new bikes available.
