Peak performers raise mountain of cash

A team of intrepid consultants climbed Britain's three highest mountains in under 24 hours and raised nearly £8,000 for a Bristol hospital along the way.

Richard Samuels, 44, of Malvern Road, Weston-super-Mare and colleagues from the Avondale Group, a business sales and acquisitions company took on the Three Peaks Challenge in September to raise money for St Michael's Hospital, which saved his son's life.

Mr Samuels' son Louis was born on October 4 last year at St Michael's at 26 weeks, weighing just 653 grams (1lb 7oz). After months in the neo-natal unit, Louis went home and is now thriving.

His parents discovered that the neo-natal intensive care unit relies on donations to buy vital equipment such as oxygen monitors and so Mr Samuels and colleagues Tom McCarthy, 33, of Bristol, Kevin Uphill, 39, of Reigate, Surrey, Remo Pisaneschi, 30, of Glasgow, Sharon Saxton, and Simon Grimley, both 37, of Chester, climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales within 24 hours.

To date the team have raised £7,788 which was presented to the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit on Friday November 27 by Louis along with his mother Nathalie and father Richard.

Donations can still be made online at www.justgiving.com/richardsamuels

The team, having faced miserable weather conditions and overcoming sleep deprivation, all made it to the finish line in 23 hours 30 minutes.

St Michael's Neo-Natal Intensive Care unit looks after desperately ill babies from the whole South West region.

Donations to the unit means staff can continue their life saving work by offering the latest technology and facilities.

To date the team have raised £7,788 which was presented to the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit on Friday November 27 by Louis along with his mother Nathalie and father Richard.

Donations can still be made by visiting www.justgiving. com/richardsamuels to pledge your support. or directly to Above & Beyond Charities at www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk