Charity success for ‘Team Ellen-Rose’

A group of local men have raised over £5,000 for charity after taking on the ‘Four Peaks Challenge’.

Andrew McBurney, Graeme Williamson, Ross Williamson, Dennis Hamill and Wayne Spence took on the mountainous challenge last weekend to raise funds for the SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) charity in memory of Ross’ young daughter Ellen Rose.

“We completed the four peaks in just over 46 hours, beating the 48-hour target set,” explained Lisburn man Ross, who was joined on the 1,250 -mile challenge by his brother and friends. “We started Slieve Donard just after 6pm on Wednesday evening, then to Ben Nevis for just after dawn on Thursday morning before heading to Scafell Pike in the Lake District late on Thursday night.

“Scafell Pike was by far the most challenging in terms of terrain and weather conditions. The weather deteriorated badly after setting off and on return from the summit the team had to wait for a couple of hours. Thankfully we were able to start Snowdon in Wales on Friday morning finishing just after 4pm.”

Ross and the team would like to thank everyone who has supported them during the challenge. “We have been moved by the number of donations we have received. We would especially like to thank John and Helen Lawson, a couple we met in the very early hours of the Friday morning at Scafell Pike and then ran into later that day in the car park at Snowdon. Two people none of us had met before who were so moved by our cause that they made a donation as soon as they got home. The love, resolve and determination of a group of fathers and friends should never be underestimated. My wife Majella and I are forever indebted to my brother Graeme and good friends Dennis, Wayne and Andrew for taking up this challenge in memory of our beautiful daughter Ellen-Rose.

“We have currently raised over £5,000 but every penny counts for this incredible charity and we would encourage anyone who like to donate to do so via www.justgiving.com/ROSS-WILLIAMSON1,” added Ross.