Nine cable jointers and craft attendants from UK Power Networks ascended the mighty Snowdon in aid of Evelina London Children’s Charity.
The group managed to raise a whopping £2,075 for the charity, with the electricity network donating £500 through their matched funding scheme for employees taking on charitable ventures.
Leader of the pack, Joe Read, 37, guided his colleagues and friends to the peak of Wales’ highest mountain, as the company gave all nine employees two paid days off each to do community work.
The group got “battered” by rain and wind but finally hit the summit in a tidy four hours and 24 minutes as they hiked the Pyg and Miners track.
Joe, a cable jointer from Epsom, south London, chose to support Evelina London as the world-leading paediatric facility providing care for his three-year-old son, Jacob, who suffers from an incurable kidney condition.
Jacob’s condition is called Cystinuria, that is eased with medication and diet. The condition causes crystals to form in the urine as the amino acids can’t be broken down, resulting in recurring kidney stones.
Joe said: “Jacob has been to Evelina London Children’s Hospital for five operations now. The staff have been fantastic every time and made every worrying visit more bearable. It can’t be easy dealing with worried parents and scared and sick children, but they
are always sympathetic and approachable answering any questions we may have, and they always give Jacob excellent care.”
Colleagues, Matt Cheesman, Adam Cheesman, Billy Minter, James Portlock, Chris Stiling, Tom, Gallyer-Randall, Harry Lloyd, Ben Thompson all took part in the adventure.
Joe said: “Matt was the main instigator and planner of the hike but as a group we had been talking for a while about doing something to challenge ourselves. When I suggested doing the hike for Evelina London, the guys were even more motivated to tackle Snowdon
as it gave the climb even more of a purpose.
“We hired a minibus to get up to Wales for the weekend and spirits were really high with anticipation and excitement. We were all really looking forward to the challenge ahead. I think we had underestimated how difficult the hike was going to be, we were not
prepared at all for using our hands to climb up parts of the route and weren’t prepared for the challenging weather at the top. But we all really enjoyed it.”
UK Power Networks’ matched funding initiative offers up to £100 for individuals and £500 for teams, for charitable fundraising events they have been involved in.
Joe said: “My original target was to raise £500 so the £500 given from UK Power Networks alone was incredibly generous. All nine of us were willing to take two days holiday allocation but for UK Power Networks to give us those days back made us all feel valued
and recognised for doing a good thing.
“I have always wanted to do something to give back to all the lovely NHS staff at Evelina London in whatever way I could and this suggestion that Matt made seemed like the perfect way. The guys were unbelievably supportive about doing the hike for Evelina London
Children’s Charity and we were overwhelmed by the amazing donations people made.”
Laura Savory, Interim Director of Fundraising at Evelina London Children’s Charity said: “We would like to say a big thank you to Jacob and the UK Power Networks team for your incredible fundraising. It is thanks to determined fundraisers like yourselves that
we are able to support the amazing care at Evelina London.”
