MOUNTAINEERS have reached new heights in raising money for charity.
Holme businessman Paul Buckingham and his mountaineer friend Graeme Taylor reached the top of Mont Blanc, in the French Alps, to raise more than £4,000 for Cancer Research UK and Help for Heroes.
Father-of-three Paul, 39, took the challenge in memory of his mother June who died, aged 54, from cancer 14 years ago.
Paul and professional mountaineer Graeme, of Ripon, took the tough ‘3 Monts’ route battling knife edge ridges, vertical faces and crevasses to reach the 4,808m summit in under seven hours.
Paul, who trained with the Holmfirth Harriers, said: “It was very daunting but it’s not a challenge if it isn’t daunting.”
“The last part of Mont Blanc was really difficult. The sky was blue but we had 30mph to 40mph winds and we were being battered by ice granules.
“The elation at the top was amazing. I remember crying at the top and thinking about the family.”
CONTACT: To donate to Paul’s charity appeal visit www.recruitbuild.co.uk and follow the link.
