Intrepid trio train for the Italian job
Reporter: Lewis Jones
Date published: 16 July 2010
13,323ft peak is friends’ target
A DEDICATED trio of explorers from Oldham are set to scale Italy’s highest mountain in aid of a children’s charity.
Chris Gaynon, Gary Scott and Karl Bamford are preparing to fly out to Italy on July 20 to attempt to reach the 13,323ft summit of Gran Paradiso.
They are taking on the mission in a bid to raise £1,500 for MedEquip4Kids, which has spent more than £20,000 providing specialist equipment for children and babies at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
Self-confessed adrenaline junkie Chris Gaynon, from Uppermill, said: “In August, 2008, I went skydiving in Lancashire and this particular challenge seemed like the next step to take. I think I was a bit naive in my approach to the challenge when I realised that the summit of Gran Paradiso is 13,323ft — almost as high as when I jumped out of the plane at 14,000ft!”
The team are currently training for the challenge by walking in the Lake and Peak District and taking up indoor and outdoor climbing.
Rachel Allen, of MedEquip4Kids, said: “This is an incredible challenge and we wish Gary, Chris and Karl all the luck in the world.
“We’re very grateful that they chose MedEquip4Kids as the beneficiary and their fundraising is going to help us fund vital items of medical equipment for children.”
The charity celebrates it’s 25th this year and has raised over £10 million.
To support the mission visit www.justgiving.com/gparadiso
