CARE 24 Peaks supported by Contract Journal post event report
Amid gloriuos sunshine, the CARE 24 Peaks Challenge supported by Contract Journal took place on 30-31 May. Teams from across the construction industry took on 24 mountains in 24 hours, raising £40,000 to support the poverty fighting work of CARE International.
Participating teams included 4-6 walkers each from Mace, McArdle, Shepherd Construction, Bolt and Heeks and two teams from Bam Nuttall. 
The challenge saw teams take to the hills in the scenic Lake District, each completing the 24 mountain peaks in under 24 hours. The prize for the fastest team went to McArdle, who finished in a staggering 20 hours and 47 minutes.
The sunny weather provided beautiful views across the Lakes throughout the weekend, but the sweltering heat added to the challenge as teams carried litres of water and took on the mountains in energy-sapping heat levels. Team spirit was abundant throughout, but the award for best team spirit went to Bam Nuttall (team leader Neil Duddy) for sticking together throughout and completing as a whole team.
At a well earned celebratory dinner, CARE’s Shelter and Reconstruction Senior Specialist thanked teams and reminded everyone of the fantastic ways in which their money might be spent. CARE’s overseas projects include some of the most important construction projects in the world: providing emergency shelter for victims of natural disasters and war, and rebuilding safer houses; rebuilding schools and constructing health centres in poor communities; training communities in improved construction techniques; preparing for disasters by constructing and maintaining schools that can be used as cyclone shelters. 
The most important award of the weekend was the Top Fundraiser award, for the team which raised the most funds. This went to Bam Nuttall (team leader Rob Millard), whose team raised almost £8,000 to support CARE’s work. Support Crew member Emma Hanning said, “Being able to use construction minded people to help and educate people in developing countries is a fantastic idea. It’s great to engage our industry to teach generations and prepare people for natural disasters- we’re really proud to be a part of it.”
Big thanks go to all participants and their crew members who made the weekend such a success. In addition, thanks go to all the guides and volunteers, without whom the event simply wouldn’t have been able to run.
CARE Challenge Manager Neil Munro said, “The CARE 24 Peaks Challenge was a fantastic success- feedback from teams has been extremely positive and we’ll be running another, different event for the Construction Industry next summer- so we’re encouraging anyone from the construction industry to visit our construction event webpage to find out more.”
