SIMIAN'S 3 Peaks Challenge Hit with Triumph and Disaster

SIMIAN’s attempt to tackle the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours, took place recently between Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of July.

A team of 13 participants and support crew, set off from their HQ in Warrington on their epic journey to not only conquer the peaks, but also to raise much needed funds and vital awareness for mental health and male suicide prevention charity, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

CALM are an organisation set up to provide advice and guidance to vulnerable individuals, who may be suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts, also to the bereaved loved ones and those coming to terms with the loss and devastation often left in the wake of suicide.

As lifelong scaffolders, and with members of their team whom are able to personally relate to overcoming the pain of losing loved ones to suicide, along with overcoming many of life’s other challenges, and attribute this to the networks and opportunities afforded to them through the industry, it seemed fitting that when seeking sponsorship for the attempt, that they would call upon the wonderful readers of this magazine and, to the wider scaffolding industry for support. The heed to that call was overwhelming.

As part of the promotion leading up to the challenge, members of their team vlogged, blogged, baked cakes and held raffles, one of which saw a brand new fully equipped Big Ben toolbelt donated by one of SIMIAN’s clients anonymously. These heart-warming and generous contributions saw the fundraising climb to over £500 before finally asking for corporate sponsorship on a shirt that the participants would be wearing on the day. Things began to take off.

Access Solutions Scaffolding in London donated a humongous £1,000 – more than 10 times the amount they had asked for, enabling the team to shatter their early expectations. Next was our ScaffMag Editor, Daniel Norton, who explained that male suicide prevention was a subject close to his own heart. And with his support, word of the attempt spread like wildfire. Summit Marine Scaffolding from Liverpool, followed by Star Scaffolding in West Bromwich, both offered to double the £100 recommended contribution. Donations came in from some of the stellar names in the scaffolding industry, such as SpanSet, as well as from close friends of SIMIAN’s Isaac Morrison, Stephen Haslam from CS Haslam Scaffolding Solutions and Carl Agana from Elite Scaffolding Solutions in Manchester. Another good friend, Lee Woods from Woods Scaffolding Ltd along with Amber Scaffolding Ltd from Sussex were also quick to show their support. £200 came in from Connect Scaffolding Ltd in Hertfordshire, who with the shirts in print, narrowly missed out on the final spot (sorry guys!), by which time the total had soared to over £3,500!

The day of the attempt was hit by thick fog, nationwide yellow weather warnings due to persistent driving rain, injuries to personnel and road closures lasting for several hours. Despite all of these setbacks, despite well intentioned advice to call off the attempt, the 23 mile, 11,178ft course was eventually conquered.

Of the 13 strong team of dedicated SIM-ountaineers taking part in the challenge only one was able to stand atop the peak of its third and final mountain, leading to the nickname, ‘Machine.’

In a story published on the company’s website, SIMIAN’s Isaac Morrison, the founder of the event and passionate supporter of CALM, describes the events leading up to and taking place on the day in what he has called, “a perfect metaphor for overcoming any of life’s adversities.”

This was the first of 10 challenges and events that Isaac and co have planned over the coming 12 months,

which aim to take their total which currently stands at £4,454.03 + £396.25 Gift Aid, up to an amazing £10,000. These events will be promoted using the hashtag, #SADS (Scaffolding Against Depression & Suicide) and form part of a wider project which Isaac calls “The Man in Black.”

For updates on all of this and to read the full story, head over to SIMIAN’s website.

And ayone wishing to show their support for this superb charity, can do so via a bespoke Just Giving landingpage at: www.justgiving.com/Isaac-Morrison