Climbing Ben Nevis at 40
Still fit or sadly faltering?
Climbing Ben Nevis is no small feat, but for our small group of three friends, it was about more than just reaching the summit. As part of a larger group raising funds for St Andrew’s Hospice, we had a personal milestone to celebrate: all three of us are turning 40 soon, and we wanted to mark the occasion by achieving something truly special together – and maybe prove we’re not ‘over the hill’ just yet!
Gebbie & Wilson Partner, Louise Arthur took on the Ben Nevis Challenge, with her friends Hazel and Karen, in aid of St. Andrew’s Hospice
On a (the only?!) warm, sunny August morning, we stood at the base of Ben Nevis, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. The mountain loomed large before us, but so did the significance of this climb. We had committed to this challenge not just to support the incredible work of St Andrew’s Hospice, but also to celebrate our upcoming birthdays in a way that symbolized our enduring friendship and shared determination.
As we began our ascent, the sun shone brightly, casting a golden light on the path ahead. The weather was perfect—warm with a gentle breeze—and as we climbed higher, our bond grew stronger. The climb was tough, and there were moments when the steep terrain tested our resolve. But each time one of us faltered, the others were there with a helping hand or a few words of encouragement, making the journey feel less daunting.
We took our time, savouring the experience and the rare opportunity to reflect on the past 40 years of our lives- and 35 years of friendship. We shared stories, laughter, and quiet moments of contemplation as we ascended, each step bringing us closer to the summit and to a deeper appreciation of the friendship that had carried us through so much in life already.
Finally, after hours of climbing, we reached the top. Standing together at the summit, with breathtaking views stretching out in every direction (not always guaranteed, in fact we were told good views only happen on about 30 days in an average year due to cloud cover) we felt a profound sense of accomplishment. This wasn’t just a climb; it was a celebration of life, friendship, and the ability to push beyond our limits for something greater. For us, reaching the top of Ben Nevis was the perfect way to mark our 40th birthdays, knowing that we had achieved something truly meaningful—both for ourselves and for St Andrew’s Hospice.
To date, via our Just Giving page we have raised over £2,700 plus Gift Aid, and can claim £500 matched funding from BNP Paribas, totalling nearly £4,000.
If you would like to find out more about the work of St Andrews Hospice or sign up for this challenge next year, see their website: https://www.st-andrews-hospice.com/
Many thanks to our 99 donors who Gift Aided their donations, thereby adding 25% to the value of their gifts, benefiting St Andrew’s Hospice by an additional £675.
To find out more about Gift Aid, click the logo opposite to see Paula O’Pray’s blog