To raise money for the Coronary Care Appeal at Royal Lancaster Infirmary

First of all, we would like to introduce ourselves. We are Ian Mercer and John Statter and we both work in the Physics Department at Lancaster University. In order to raise money for the Coronary Care Appeal, we have set ourselves the ‘extreme’ challenge of climbing the three highest peaks in Britain and cycling the 460 miles in between, all in three days!

We are hoping a very generous sponsor will provide us with a minibus or campervan which will be driven by Gary Pewsey who will follow us along the route between locations. John and Carol Webster are our support team, on hand for first aid, bike repairs, map reading, food preparation and anything else that crops up along the way.

We have spent a great deal of effort planning, training and preparing and we are fully committed to ensuring we achieve the challenge we have set for ourselves. What we want you to do is support us in whatever way you think most appropriate.

MONEY - If you want to sponsor us, please see the attached letter from the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for details.

DONATIONS OF FOOD, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, etc. – This is just as important because the more support we receive from companies and organisations for clothing, food, drinks, cycle kit, medical supplies, etc., the more money that will be available for the Coronary Care Appeal. Our biggest outlay will be the minibus or campervan, followed by fuel, so we are really keen to find someone who can help us with this.

All companies and organisations who donate supplies and equipment will be acknowledged on this website.

So far, Sky TV, Radio Lancashire, Bay Radio and the Lancaster Guardian have all expressed interest and have promised us coverage to help us reach as many people as possible.

We can be contacted as follows:

Ian Mercer:

i.mercer@lancaster.ac.uk

Phone: 01524 593078

John Statter:

j.statter@lancaster.ac.uk

Phone: 01524 593648

This is our plan of action, although depending on weather conditions and wind direction, we may decide to reverse the route.

Ben Nevis, or the 'Ben' as it is fondly known locally, sits majestically at the head of Loch Linnhe, its presence dominating the landscape from all corners of Fort William and some parts of Lochaber. This is Britain’s highest mountain, emphasised by the fact that it begins its rise from sea-level on the shores of Loch Linnhe, to tower 4,406ft (1,344m) above the town of Fort William.

Ben Nevis, although not as high as Alpine mountains, is positioned on a more northerly latitude and the climate can be considered similar to Arctic regions. While there may be a welcoming sea breeze on the shores of Loch Linnhe, 20-30 knots of chilling wind may be evident on the summit of the Ben. Many walkers/climbers find weather conditions changing within minutes - usually for the worse - as they work their way up the mountain. We will start our climb at Fort William.

At 978 metres (3,210 feet), Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England.  The summit plateau of Scafell pike is covered with shattered rock debris which provides the highest altitude example of a summit boulder field in England.  So although Scafell is the ‘easiest’ peak in terms of height, it represents a strenuous slog because of this loose rubble.  We will start our climb at Wasdale Head?????

Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa as it is known locally, is 1085 metres (3560 feet) and is the highest peak in Wales. Whichever direction you approach it from the size and grandeur impresses. Its starfish shape radiates six magnificent ridges each with their own special and individual characters. The deep cwmoedd (glaciated valleys) range from the easily accessible to hanging valleys only reached by complicated scrambling. We will start our climb at Llanberis.