Trio will scale heights for Ayrshire Hospice

May 29 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

A TRIO of pals from Ayrshire plan an assault on Europe’s highest peak.

And they aim to raise cash for the Ayrshire Hospice by going to the summit of Mont Blanc.

Neil Winstanley, Blair Thomson and Robin Ghosh have an impressive fundraising pedigree.

And a year ago they did the Three Peaks Challenge, also for the hospice.

That involved climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales – in 24 hours.

And they had to drive between the peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – after climbing up and down them.

Now the lads, all in their 20s, are bidding for a much higher summit.

And they won’t be using a tourist route to scale the 15,781ft of Mont Blanc.

Neil Winstanley said: “We’ll encounter glaciers, crevasses and the like.

“We’re treating this very seriously and taking mountaineering equipment.”

None of them has been to the Alps before, and they leave in July for the challenge.

After final training and advice from a guide, they will head up the mountain, unaccompanied.

Neil said: “Last year we collected £4978 for the Ayrshire Hospice for the Three Peaks Challenge.

“And we hope we can beat it, although it won’t be easy in these tough economic times.

“We need individuals and businesses to back us.

“And I was delighted to get a cheque for £100 this week from A&A Spittal of Berryhill Farm, Auchinleck.”

Neil added: “I hope many others will want to back us.

“The Ayrshire Hospice is such a great cause, providing a service that you just can’t put a price on.”

Anyone who can help the trio’s fundraising is welcome to contact Neil Winstanley by email at nwinstanley@gmail.com