Yorkshire Bank staff hit the heights for charity

26/05/2011

Yorkshire Bank staff are putting their feet up after raising thousands of pounds for a Northampton hospice.

Katy Billings, Gary Hill, Jon Evans and Stevie Lewkowicz, who work at Yorkshire Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Waterside Way, Northampton, walked 54kms throughout a rigorous task to climb 24 peaks in 24 hours.

But the blisters and sore knees were worth it as they collected £2,695 for the Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Kettering Road, Northampton, which will be matched by Yorkshire Bank for its nominated charity, Help the Hospices.

Katy, a private partner at Yorkshire Bank’s FSC in Northampton, admitted the challenge in the Lake District had been tough but the feeling of elation at the end had been worth it.

“It was really hard there is no doubt about that but we remained focused and kept a good pace throughout which was important,” she said.

“The weather was against us because it rained a lot and there were 40mph winds which meant my hands were absolutely freezing.

“On the ascents, I felt fine and I was pleased with the amount of training that I had done but everybody’s knees took a real hammering. Unless you train in mountains all the time, you can’t really prepare for that part of the challenge.

“In the end we climbed three extra peaks – Great Dodd, Calfhow Pike and Clough Head – because it was safer to come off the ridge and follow the path down rather than face the wind again and come down the side of Watsons Dodd.

“Our current fundraising total stands at £2,695 but I am sure it will rise once all the donations have been collected by all of us.

“I am really pleased with our efforts and all our training and hard work on the challenge will help the hospice maintain their excellence service.”