Published on: Friday 08 Nov 2019 at 15:00
16 local fitness fanatics take on ultimate Snowdon challenge in aid of St Clare!
A team of 16 fitness fanatics from S2 Fitness gym in Sawbridgeworth have recently completed the ‘ultimate’ sporting challenge on mount Snowdon – all to raise vital funds for local charity, St Clare Hospice.
On Saturday 5th October, the team of ‘gym buddies’ donned their weighted vests and began a 1,086m ascent up Wales’ highest peak.
“The trek started at 6:45am. Everyone was in great spirits, despite the weather conditions, as they were far from ideal,” recalls S2 Lead Coach, Lee Hounslow, who organised the fundraiser in aid of the Hospice.
“Along the way, we faced complications around carrying the equipment – but we soon got used to passing across obstacles and keeping everyone safe. There were a few very tough moments for the team as some had a fear of heights! This was on top of the weather getting worse the higher we got, along with visibly closing in. However, we all made it to the peak in 3 hours and 20 mins!”
Arriving at the peak at around 10am, the dedicated 16 took their challenge to the next level, completing an elevated work out in the foggy conditions atop Snowdon!
“Although everyone was exhausted, I think the excitement of getting to the ‘top’ got us through the workout we completed at the peak!” explains Lee. “After a short break, we made our descent. This was just as trying as the ascent, as everyone was drained of energy. Morale was hard to keep up, too; when all you can see is the white of the clouds we were in. But the team stayed strong and we all got down safely, with a total completion time of 5 hours 45 minutes.”
The team from S2 Fitness aimed to raise £2,000 for the West Essex and East Herts hospice – however, upon totalling their efforts at the end of the challenge, the team raised over double their target at £4,220.
Commenting on their fundraising for St Clare, Lee said, “There is such a sense of achievement that can’t be beaten. The challenge may be tough, but it is so rewarding and for such a great cause.
“We all loved the feeling of completing such an event, so I have started to plan the next adventure of the national Three Peaks Challenge – where you hike up the UK’s three highest peaks in just 24 hours. But we will be wearing weighted vests!”
The 16 ‘hospice heroes’ within the S2 Fitness Team ranged from 32-58 years old, and they all live within Harlow, Sawbridgeworth, Hatfield Heath and Hatfield Broad Oak. Participants included: Lee Hounslow, Roxanne Hounslow, Sally Waters, Virginia Daltrey, Lisa Timms, Carly Redgrave, Chiara Goodwin, Paul Prindiville, Beatriz Roman, Kate Stanley, Emma Jackson, Stacia Edmeades, Stephen Edmeades, Steve Coombs, Vicki Coombs and Andrea Dodd.
Emma Broadbent, Challenges & Events Fundraiser at St Clare Hospice, said, “We are overwhelmed by what S2 Fitness were willing to do for St Clare, to help us raise vital funds that pay for our care and support for local people. Not only did they climb one of the UK’s tallest peaks – they did it in weighted vests, followed by a work out at the peak! We love seeing what new, fun ideas people come up with to help support the charity. The more unique, the better, we think! Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the challenge, and who supported S2 and St Clare by sponsoring the team.”
Feeling inspired?
If you’ve been inspired to take on a challenge in aid of St Clare Hospice, either on your own or with a group of friends, you can contact Emma directly for more information on emma.broadbent@stclarehospice.org.uk or 01279 773754
