A team of 19 landscapers, nurserymen and horticulturists are each clocking up at least 12 hours training a week for what they say will be the challenge of their lifetimes to raise money for Perennial. The team, led by Brian Herbert, Managing Director of Outdoor Options, and Richard Gardiner of Norris & Gardiner will climb the three highest UK peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden) and cycle the 450 miles between them, all in just six days! The challenge starts on 6 September as a precursor to Perennial’s new annual fundraising week, HortAid, which runs from 21 – 29th September 2013.
Speaking about their reasons for tackling the grueling challenge, Brian said;
“The main driver for this event is the opportunity to be able to raise funds for a charity that supports people in our industry. We want everyone to know about the work that they do, and we hope our colleagues in the industry will support our efforts.”
Richard commented;
“It will be a real fitness challenge for me, but the chance to spend time with a great bunch of people whilst raising money for a charity close to my heart was all the motivation I needed”
The charity sees this challenge as a perfect example of what can be achieved by the industry to support the ongoing work of Perennial to help horticulturists in need and hopes it will inspire more people to join in with HortAid 2013. Jo Ayley, Head of Development at Perennial, comments;
“There are an estimated 500,000 people working in or retired from horticulture in the UK. Perennial exists to support them when the going gets tough, which can be as a result of illness, bereavement or workplace injury. Horticulture has one of the worst rates of workplace injury – perhaps not surprising, given it often involves working at height, in cold and wet conditions and operating machinery. Horticulturists are completely dependent on their good health and physical fitness to be able to work, an accident can have severe consequences for the horticulturist and their family. So we are thrilled that the 3 Peaks Extreme team have chosen to support Perennial by raising funds to help us maintain these vital services, please dig deep and help them reach their fundraising target of £20,000.”
The 19-strong team consists of landscapers and nurserymen from 16 companies from across the South and East of England. A few of the team will be available for photos and interviews at Saltex 2013 on Wednesday 4 September (10am Stand H83/ the Perennial stand). To donate to the challenge visit www.justgiving.com/3PeaksExtreme and follow the team on Twitter @peaksextreme.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
3 Peaks Extreme
The challenge will see the team hiking to the top of Ben Nevis (1344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Mt Snowdon (1085m) and, just to make the challenge even tougher, they will be cycling from peak to peak – a distance of 445 miles. The challenge runs from 6 – 11 September 2013 and aim to raise £20,000 for Perennial.
The team is:
Nigel Bowcock, Acre Landscapes
Grant Beerling, Bartholomew Landscaping
Ed Belderbos, Belderbos Landscapes
Dan Riddleston, Bowles & Wyer
John Wyer, Bowles & Wyer
Cora Crowder, Crowder Nurseries
Robert Crowder, Crowder Nurseries
Simon Cox, Gavin Jones
Jim Brasier, Jim Brasier Landscapes
Matt O’Conner, John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance
Andy Moreham, Joseph Rochford Gardens Ltd
Mark Gregory, Landform Consultants
Richard Gardiner, Norris & Gardiner
Paul Downer, Oakview Landscapes
Brian Herbert, Outdoor Options
Liz Hughes, Provender Nurseries
Lorraine Hartley, Provender Nurseries
Greg Skilbeck, Silverland Stone Ltd
Darren Skidmore, Skidmores
