Four university friends plan to scale the UK’s three highest mountains to help homeless children.
The four final year students will travel to the mountains in Scotland, England and Wales by train to raise over £4,000 for the Railway Children Charity, which is dedicated to helping children living on the streets.
One of South Wales’ premier shopping centres, Quadrant at Swansea, was glad to give the four girls a helping hand by allowing them to have a collection in the precinct to help towards their target.
The Three Peaks Challenge in June next year, will come just weeks after Rachel Llewellyn and her friends sit their final exams at Cardiff University, but that does not faze them.
“We think that exercising will relieve the stress of studying for our finals,” said 20-year-old Rachel from Morriston, Swansea.
Tackling Ben Nevis (4409ft) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (3208ft) in the Lake District and Snowdon (3560ft) in 24 hours, will mean the four girls having to climb over 10,000ft and hiking at least 25 miles.
Joining Rachel will be Jessica Rumble (corr) from the Gwendraeth Valley, near Carmarthen, Rachael (corr) Sarson from the North of England (does not know where) and Georgina Bingham from Bristol.
Quadrant Centre Deputy Manager Ian Kirkpatrick, who , said: “The girls have set themselves a tough challenge but they’re very dedicated and the charity is one that deserves a lot of support.
“It’s great to see young people give up their time and energy to try and make a difference to others and we’ve been glad to help them out and at the Quadrant we’re always happy to try and make our facilities available to worthy causes.”
Despite the popular view of university students spending their spare time drinking and partying, the four friends have put their time to good use and joined the Duke of Edinburgh Society to try for their Gold Awards – something which will be particularly useful on their CVs.
Rachel, reading modern history and politics, said: “We all joined last September. It’s just something a bit different. We did our expedition in June when we went to the Lake District and did three nights and four days and had to walk for eight hours every day.
“We also have to spend a year volunteering. I volunteered to help with maths and reading teaching every Wednesday afternoon. This year we have all decided to carry on volunteering taking out children who act as carers within their families. We also have to complete a skills course and a residential course where we will stay with someone and learn a new skill.”
She added: “We are hoping to get our Gold Awards by the beginning of 2012.
“We’re all members of the university gym and doing a lot of gym work to get fit for the Three Peaks. My family think I’m crazy and my mum says ‘you can’t do that!’ and hopes I’ll come to my senses.
“We thought the Railway Children Charity was a really good cause. Only a third of the children on the streets are reported missing. The government says it is not a big problem but it’s quite a major problem if you think it’s three times worse than people say it is.
“The charity tries to get to the children before the drug pushers do or someone forces them into prostitution. I think it’s something really worth while, we are very privileged and we should help.”
After university Rachel is hoping to make a career in accounting.
On the day of the challenge, the four friends will set out from Euston station and head for North Wales, then on to the Lake District and finally Scotland. The time spent on the trains will not count towards the 24 hours. One of the things the organisers worry about is competitors rushing by road from one venue to another, according to Rachel.
Anyone who wants to sponsor or help the team can donate using www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/4pinkladies
