Ellis Robinson from Belle Isle has completed his Scafell Pike charity fundraising challenge, climbing England’s tallest mountain five time in 24 hours.
Ellis undertook the challenge to raise funds for Candlelighters, the children’s cancer charity, and raised over £3,411, by climbing over 14,000 feet of ascent – the equivalent of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps.
The challenge started at Wasdale Head in the Lake District on Friday 22 July 2022 at 1pm. With friends, Cameron O’Connor and Matty Walsh, Ellis started his first ascent.
Unfortunately, Matty suffered an asthma attack on the mountain and had to turn back, although he re-joined his pals for their third ascent. Night fell during this ascent as Ellis explained:
“It was like someone turned the lights off. It became very dark and very hostile very quickly at the top. While having a break before heading back down the temperature dropped massively, thick cloud set in and the rain came out of nowhere, it was treacherous!”
With head torches giving little help, the descent was slow, but visibility improved as they dropped below cloud level. Unfortunately, with just a few hundred meters to go to the car park, Cameron twisted his ankle.
In the circumstances, Ellis decided to pause until first light. Taking the chance to rest and change into dry clothes he was ready to go again for his fourth ascent, which he achieved in an impressive time of 2 hours 36 minutes.
There was just enough time and energy left for a fifth and final ascent of Scafell Pike which was completed within the 24 hour deadline. Ellis returned to the car park to be greeted by cheers from Cammeron, Matty and his Mum and Dad support team.
Commenting on his achievement Ellis said:
“It’s crazy to think it’s all over, but what a pleasure it was to do knowing how that money raised can help those families dealing with such awful circumstances.
“I will be avoiding Scafell Pike for a while now I think!
“I would like to thank Cameron O’Connor, Matty Walsh, Lorrayne Wilkinson, David Robinson, Danny O’Connor, Jamie Portrey; all of my amazing sponsors and everyone who donated and helped me raise a huge amount! It was a pleasure and I cannot thank you all enough.”
The day in numbers:
- 5 summits
- 33mile
- 90,000+ steps
- 14,325 feet elevation gain
- £3,411 raised
If you would like to donate to Ellis’s total go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ellis-rbr
