13 May 2022
Nicholas Jones was moved by the plight and bravery of the Ukrainian people, the tragedy that was unfolding and families being separated, that he wanted to do something to help. Along with his dad, Chris Jones, 76, they set about the challenge on what was a cold, fresh, but sunny morning in April.
Nicholas, who works in the early intervention in psychosis (EIP) team at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"We set off at 7.25am and the weather was good. We climbed the first peak and we realised that our biggest mistake was the lack of hill walk training and that we should’ve taken more water than food! But we remained positive about the challenge ahead.
"There were many undulating and steep parts along the route, and we had to put in a great deal of effort between the Peny-y-ghent and Whernside peaks. The weather remained good until a hailstorm struck as we were leaving the top of the third peak, Ingleborough. The storm made the ground really slippy and I fell a couple of times.
“The last five miles felt like they went on forever, our legs were tired, we struggled to pick up our feet and we kept tripping on the rocks, but it felt really good. Ten hours and 29 minutes later and we had finished.”
The Yorkshire Three Peaks route is 24 miles over undulating terrain and includes a total climb of 5200 feet (approx. 1 mile). The challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
Nicholas and his dad have so far raised £505. You can support by donating to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nicholas-Jones47 by the end of May. The donation will be made to the British Ukrainian Aid https://british-ukrainianaid.org/ that supports people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
