Refusing to throw in the towel

AT THE SUMMIT: The mists cleared and the group were triumphant at the top

Ben Nevis climb raises thousands for local charities

On Saturday 3rd September, 14 members of the Leeds Muslim Youth Forum (LMYF) took part in a ‘climb of a lifetime’ up Ben Nevis.

Their impressive scramble was all in aid of fundraising for two local charities - the Children’s Heart Surgery Unit at the Leeds General Infirmary and Martin House Children’s Hospice.

The group, aged between 18 and 25, trekked for five hours up 1,346 metres of rock face. Reaching the summit was no easy feat and only 10 managed to scramble all the way to the very top.

Four members of the team made it past half way but had to return due to one member receiving an injury.

NEARLY THERE!: Despite the perilous climb, the team refused to stop smiling

Aisha Rashid, LMYF co-ordinator said: “The climb was extremely challenging; physically and mentally.

“There was many a time when we felt ready to throw in the towel and one of the team getting injured really put things into perspective and highlighted the dangerous task we'd taken on, with little experience of mountain climbing.

“However, once the mist cleared and the summit was in sight the personal satisfaction of the accomplishment - and working together as a team to reach it - was character building. Climbing Ben Nevis for such an amazing cause made it all worthwhile.”

Last year, the team climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales and raised an impressive £5,000 for the children's charities.

Zara, an LMYF ambassador said: “I personally underestimated Ben Nevis. Compared to Snowdon this challenge was physically more demanding, requiring strength. Reminding myself of the terminally ill children who push on every day helped me carry on.”

The whole experience was one the team ‘will never forget’.

“When the mist cleared there it was, the end of our destination, the goal to our challenge, we reached the rock took a photo and ran back down,” Mobasher, another LMYF ambassador added.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit: www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/LMYFCHALLENGE2016

POINTING THE WAY: The group worked together to reach the summit