By Tom Marriott, Managing Director, HW Facilities
After months of planning and preparation, I’m incredibly proud to share that a small but determined team from HW Facilities has successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge. Climbing the UK’s three highest mountains in under 24 hours was no small feat, but raising £4,002.50 (including Gift Aid) for Dorothy House Hospice Care made every step worth it.
We set off early on Friday 6th June; eight of us, a mix of colleagues and friends, leaving at 6am to tackle our first mountain: Ben Nevis. Standing at 1,345m, it’s Scotland’s highest peak and a real test of endurance. Even though it was summer, the weather can be unpredictable; thick cloud and snow greeted us near the summit.
For me, the biggest challenge wasn’t the terrain, but the clock. We had to keep a relentless pace if we were going to conquer all three peaks within the 24-hour window.
Once back at the minibus, we headed south to the Lake District for our next climb: Scafell Pike. Despite being physically drained, morale was high. We shared stories, snacks, and a lot of laughs along the way. At 5:30pm, we stood at the base of Scafell Pike, ready to take on its 978m ascent. It might be shorter than Ben Nevis, but the rugged, steep path made it no easier.
Halfway up, a few of our team had to turn back; only four of us made it to the top. Although I would like to say the views from the summit were breathtaking, the truth is all the peaks were shrouded in cloud, so the best views were had on the ascent when walking the mountain. Perhaps this is some solace for those that didn’t make it to the top.
The final leg of our journey was the toughest. Road closures delayed our drive, and time was slipping away. We made the difficult decision that only three of us would attempt the final climb: Snowdon. We started at 2:30am, guided only by our head torches and James, good friend and our mountain leader for the trip. The lack of light made the hike significantly more challenging. Just after 4:30am, we reached the summit and by 6:00am had returned to the base of Snowden.
In total, we had covered 23 miles and climbed a combined 3,400 metres. There was a great feeling of relief that the race against the clock was over and we didn’t need to climb any more mountains, but mostly we had an overwhelming feeling of achievement that we had succeeded in our goal.
Now that we’ve had time to recover, I can honestly say the challenge was harder than any of us expected. Nevertheless, whether we reached all three peaks or not, every single person in the team gave it their all. We supported each other every step of the way and it was the journey that we went on together which made it so special.
As a company, we’re incredibly proud to support Dorothy House Hospice Care for the second year running. This local charity provides phenomenal care, supporting individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses. Their care journeys begin at diagnosis and continue with bereavement support for loved ones. It’s a cause close to the hearts of many at our Westbury office, and we’re thrilled to contribute to their fundraising efforts.
The teamwork, camaraderie, and determination we showed during this challenge reflect the values we live by every day, at HW Facilities. We are a family-run commercial cleaning company based in Wiltshire, with nationwide coverage. Who are committed to delivering exceptional service while fostering a supportive and respectful environment for our team and clients.
If you’d like to learn more about us, please visit: www.hwfacilities.co.uk