Vauxhall Conquers Britain's Three Peaks

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – June 7, 2011: Last weekend, 22 Vauxhall employees braved the summer heat to climb the highest peaks of England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours, raising a total of at least £4,500 for Help for Heroes, Vauxhall’s chosen charity.

The group, comprising of four teams, began the challenge at 5pm on Friday June 3 with an ascent of Ben Nevis, the mainland’s highest mountain at 1343 metres above sea level. Tired, but determined, the teams then drove 255 miles through the night to the Lake District, and Scafell Pike, a modest 978 metres high. “We were down, but certainly not out at this point,” said Alex Lee, Undergraduate Programme Assistant at Vauxhall. “The heat and lack of sleep was getting to us all, but we were completely focused on setting a time within 24 hours”.

Which they did. After a final 196-mile drive to Snowdon, the teams took on Wales’ 1078 metre peak, with the quickest team wrapping up the challenge in 20 hours and 14 minutes and all teams within the 24 hour target.

The group was supported by two seven-seat Zafiras and two Luton-built Vivaro minibuses, which offer ample luggage space and comfort, keeping the climbers both fresh and sufficiently equipped.

Derek Derenalagi, Vauxhall’s Help for Heroes Ambassador, waved off the group as they left Vauxhall’s Luton headquarters. Derek said, “It’s fantastic to see Vauxhall employees pushing themselves to the limit, both physically and mentally in order to raise money for Help for Heroes. I’d like to thank them for all their hard work in putting on this event.”

Will Newham, Retail Systems Analyst and co-organiser of the Vauxhall Three Peaks Challenge said, “The event was incredibly tough. It's such a fantastic cause and the hard work and dedication put in to this challenge shows that Vauxhall employees are wholeheartedly behind our service men and women.”

What Car? were also represented at the challenge, using both an Insignia and Astra Sports Tourer to travel between each mountain. Despite being set back by heavy north Wales traffic, the team battled on and successfully completed all three mountains. Chas Hallett, Editor of What Car? said of his team, “despite their difficulties throughout the event, I’m very proud of our team’s commitment to complete the challenge and their efforts in raising money for Help for Heroes”.

To date, Vauxhall has raised over £134,000 for Help for Heroes since January 2010 with all money used to help those wounded, sick or injured in Britain’s current conflicts.

If you wish to donate to our cause, please visit: www.vauxhallh4h.co.uk