SW Comms directors scale new heights
By Caroline Moore
26/6/17
Four directors from South West Communications Group, the main club sponsors of Exeter Chiefs, have scaled the UK’s highest three peaks to raise money for the Prince’s Trust.
swcomms’ managing director Brian Lodge and fellow board members Jon Whiley, John Holdstock and Sean Doyle climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 23 hours and 20 minutes to beat the required Three Peaks Challenge 24-hour deadline.
They also achieved this 29-mile, 3,064-metre feat on one of the hottest days of the year.
Brian said: “It was an experience I’ll never forget. I was very proud of the total commitment shown from a great team who despite some serious pain never had it in their heads to fail.”
ICT director John Holdstock added: “It was one of the most physically enduring thing I have ever participated in; however, it was also one of the most fun things I have been part of. It’s a thin line between pain and ecstasy!”
Engineering director Sean Doyle, however, whose knees were strapped for the entire challenge was more concerned about the pain.
He said: “It hurt up mountain one. It hurt more up mountain two. It hurt so much more on mountain three. I will never walk up a mountain again! Other than that, I really enjoyed it.”
The team was raising money for the Prince’s Trust, for which swcomms became a patron last year.
Commercial director Jon Whiley said: “This charity does so much for young people locally and we wanted to do our bit as a patron and lead by example as directors. We may have regretted that decision a few times both during training and during the challenge itself, but hopefully we can add to our total in the days to come to make even more worthwhile.”
swcomms’ CEO and chairman Tony Rowe OBE ensured the team stayed on track by driving between each peak and having drinks at the ready and the engine running at the foot of each mountain. He also lent his support by providing a celebratory drink at the end.
Anyone who wishes to support swcomms’ directors can do so by visiting their Virgin Giving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/swcommsdirectorsclimbsomemountains