Member Article

A group of Liverpool business people complete ‘mountainous’ challenge in support of Sport Relief

20 Liverpool business people have climbed Machu Picchu in Peru in support of Sport Relief and the ADHD Foundation.

The group helped to raise more than £15,000 for the ADHD Foundation and Sport Relief by scaling the 15th Century Inca site located 7,970ft above sea level. They were also joined on the trek by former The Only Way Is Essex personality Kirk Norcross who himself suffers from ADHD.

Jayne Moore, managing director of Jayne Moore Media and one of the trekkers, said:

“Completing the trek was one of the most gruelling and rewarding challenges I have ever undertaken in my life.

“So many of us suffered from terrible altitude sickness before even setting off on the climb and seven of our group had to come down from the mountain for medical treatment throughout the four days of the trek.

“At some points of the trek, particularly when we had reached the rainforest, we had to battle through cloud and torrential rain. Then at other points, the sun was scorching which made climbing uphill a real challenge!

“Reaching the top and taking in the most breathtaking views of one of the seven wonders of the world from the Inca Sun Gate was indescribable though, and knowing that we were raising money for such a worthwhile cause really helped to spur us on when the going got tough.”

The ADHD Foundation Charity was set up in 2007 to support children, young people and their families living with ADHD. Funded by NHS CAMHS, Big Lottery, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief, the Foundation comprises a multi-disciplinary team, working in close partnership with clinicians from Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool to provide a range of interventions - a unique service in the UK.

Tony Lloyd, acting CEO of the ADHD Foundation, and one of the climbers said:

“The sense of camaraderie on the trek was brilliant and although the Inca Trail was very tough at times, we had so much fun from the moment we got off the plane to the moment we landed back in Manchester.

“We are incredibly grateful to the team and the people who sponsored them. We are also delighted by the support from Kirk for helping to raise awareness of who we are and what we do and for helping to raise much needed funds so we can continue to help young people and their families living with ADHD.”

Sport Relief is a biennial charity event from Comic Relief, which brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the across the world.

Gilly Green, head of UK Grants at Comic Relief, said:

“Climbing Macchu Picchu is no mean feat, so we are extremely grateful to the team, for completing the challenge and for donating some of their fundraising to Sport Relief.

“The money raised will help change the lives of people across the UK and abroad. For example, in the UK, it could be used to help give shelter to young people living on the streets or protection to those living with domestic abuse. Whereas across the world, it could be used to help children into education, and provide communities with fresh water and life-saving vaccines.”

The 2014 team consisted of Dr Tony Lloyd, CEO of the ADHD Foundation; Michelle Thornhill, nurse and operations director at ADHD Foundation; Sara Renwick, NHS nurse manager, Simon Harrison, MD of Ideas Afresh Health Service Management; Catherine Millan, participation manager at the ADHD Foundation; Nicholas Jacobs, local magistrate and MD of Stratadapt Food Import and Export; teacher, Rosie Boyd; Ciaran Gallagher, business and marketing manager at the ADHD Foundation; Thomas Coates, data manager at the ADHD Foundation; Christine Jones, parents mental health worker, Jayne Moore, managing director at Jayne Moore Media; self-employed local electrician Richard Hill; Tara Hill, European genomics manager at Agilent Technologies Ltd,; Sarah Boynton, young apprentice at the ADHD Foundation; Tracy Dickens, psychotherapist at the ADHD Foundation; Peter Dickens, IT manager at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Ben Osu, inclusion and communities officer at Arena Housing; and Karen Jacobs, senior manager at Bridgewater Community Healthcare Trust.

Sport Relief takes place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March and for the first time ever the public can run, swim or cycle in the brand new Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games. For more information on how to join in the fun and games, raise cash and changes lives, go to sportrelief.com.

ADHD is a condition characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity and low emotional resilience. Unsupported it can lead to major social and educational exclusion. For more information about the ADHD Foundation visit www.adhdfoundation.org.uk or call 0151 237 2661. If you would also like to make a donation towards the trek you can do so by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1008248

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Lowe .