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Fifth biennial Three Peaks Challenge pledges over $660,000 for UK charity Sailors’ Society

[ July 3, 2012   //   ]

No less than 39 teams of hillwalking enthusiasts tackled three of the UK’s highest peaks last weekend and pledged an amazing US$660,000 for Sailors’ Society as a result.

The hillwalkers sprinted, strode and sauntered up, and down, the paths of Ben Nevis (1,344 metres), Helvellyn (950 metres) and Snowdon (1,085 metres) during the fifth Three Peaks Challenge, which was organised by Sailors’ Society with main sponsors Cargill Ocean Transportation, Rio Tinto and Rightship.

This year’s event proved to be one of the most successful held so far and saw competitors from within the shipping industry travelling from as far USA, Australia, Hong Kong and India to take part. The biennial event also boasted an impressive team of mountain marshals, including time-keepers, coach monitors, drivers, medics and night marshals, all of whom volunteered to work around the clock ensuring the teams completed their journeys safely.

The teams were made up from a number of Sailors’ Society’s supporting companies, including Marriott Marine Surveyors, Steamship, NYK Cool, The Baltic Exchange, BP Shipping, Clyde & Co, AM Nomikos, Inchcape Shipping, AMA, Bunge, Gearbulk, Nordea, ITF, Reed Smith, Red Funnel, Ince & Co, Sea SA P/L, Alexony Maritime Ltd, GAC, WFW, Swiss Marine and DAO Shipping Limited.

Despite brutal weather conditions, the walkers set off with the Bunge team ‘Force Majeur’ completing Ben Nevis first. On arrival at a fog smothered Helvellyn, safety was paramount and the groups were only permitted to ascend to the half-way point. Although disappointed at not being able to continue, spirits were high and it was noted that the weather experienced by the enthusiasts was far kinder than that which many seafarers’ experience. Fortunately for the walkers, they were able to conquer Snowdon in the sunshine.

A celebratory dinner was held at the Mersey Maritime Museum, where CEO of Sailors’ Society, Robert Adams, spoke about the charity’s work and the ‘sense of belonging’ it brings to over 1.2 million seafarers. He thanked sponsors Cargill, Rio Tinto and Rightship for their support of the Three Peaks Challenge.

Roger Janson, the head of Cargill Ocean Transportation and Warwick Norman, MD of Rightship in Australia who also participated in the event, both paid tribute to the teams and their supporters. Prizes were awarded to the fastest overall teams, the fastest teams for each peak and the highest fundraisers. Amongst the winners were Bunge’s ‘Force Majeur’, Cargill’s ‘Summit Sisters’, the ‘Supermax Buccaneers’, the ‘Incapables’ and Rickmers for their fundraising contribution.

Jan Webber, Sailors’ Society Director of Fundraising, said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the amount raised by the participating teams, and are so grateful that despite the current economic impact on the corporate world, companies continue to show that they recognise the importance of the support provided by Sailors’ Society. We are so appreciative of the fantastic effort from everyone who took part.”

For more information, please visit www.sailors-society.org, or contact Lisa Hearn at Logical Creative Marketing on: 01329 825849 or email: lisa@lcm.co.uk

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