‘Record-breaking’ climbers raised cash for Ukrainian people
LUKE AND TOM SET A RECORD AS THEY CLIMB PEAKS
TWO mountaineers from Hull have set a new world record after completing a gruelling charity challenge to raise money for Ukraine.
Luke Mitchell and Tom Conroy set out to scale the UK’S 14 highest peaks in under three days, a challenge inspired by the Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.
The pair began their challenge at 10.30pm on Sunday, May 22, by climbing Ben Lawers at Loch Tay.
Luke and Tom then made their way up seven peaks throughout the Cairngorms, before scaling Carn Eige, Mam Sodhail, Aonach Beag, Aonach Mor, and Carn Mor Dearg.
Finally, the pair climbed Ben Nevis, reaching the summit at 1.32pm on Wednesday, May 25, completing their 14 peaks challenge in two days, 15 hours and two minutes - a new world record.
Over the course of their challenge, the pair collected video evidence and are now waiting for it to be approved by the team at Guinness World Records.
Once it is validated, Luke and Tom will have set a brand new mountaineering record.
Through their fundraising, Luke and Tom have raised £1,300 for the Jacobs Well Appeal, supporting the crisis in Ukraine.
They are still £100 shy of their £1,400 target, but donations are still welcomed through their Go Fund Me page.
Speaking to the Mail, Luke said: “This has been the hardest thing that either of us have ever done.
“We know that we have set a new record, but we just need to have it confirmed by Guinness World Records.
“Sometimes it can take up to 19 weeks, but we’re hoping it will be sooner. We don’t know whether we will make it into the book or not, though!”
The pair battled against the wind and the rain, suffering sore joints and bleeding feet as they made their way up mountains.
Despite the struggle, Luke and Tom were determined to complete the challenge and raise as much money as they could for Ukraine.
Luke continued: “On the first day, the weather was awful - it was wet, windy and cold and at one point, I was shivering uncontrollably.
“It would have been so easy for us to say ‘that’s it, I quit,’ but we were able to keep each other motivated and we scaled seven peaks in the Cairngorms.
“The weather improved on the second day and we scaled another three peaks, before climbing another three on Wednesday and then finishing the challenge with Ben Nevis.
“When we reached the top, it was quite emotional really, and we both let out a huge sigh of relief.
“I remember Tom just started laughing, then we sat down in the
emergency shelter and had a beer together.
“We had a bit of a laugh and cry, and we couldn’t believe we’d finally done it.
“I took my boots off and my feet were red raw and covered in blood.
“Tom’s knees were killing him by the end - we’ve only just about recovered!
“When we got back down to Fort William afterwards, the owners of the Caledonian Hotel gave us a free room for the night after they heard what we had done to raise money for Ukraine.
“They gave us free meals, drinks, and just treated us like royalty, which was so kind of them. We really appreciated it after climbing 14 mountains!”
Not ones to rest on their laurels, Luke and Tom are already planning their next mountaineering excursions. Luke finished by saying: “I’ve booked in an attempt to climb Everest next year, but before that I am going to Greece in six weeks to climb Mount Ida.
“Tom is heading out to America soon to attempt one of the highest peaks in the states.”