This year, Search Laboratory is supporting ASSERT, a little-known charity that raises funds and awareness for children and families living with Angelman syndrome.
What is Angelman Syndrome?
Angelman syndrome is a genetic condition where one of the chromosomes (chromosome 15) has an irregularity, causing physical and emotional abnormalities. It is a rare condition and few people are aware of its existence.
ASSERT (Angelman Syndrome Support, Education and Research Trust) focuses on exactly what its name would suggest – the support, further education and research into this condition. Angelman syndrome was named after Dr. Harry Angelman, who identified the condition in 1965. It was previously known as ‘Happy Puppet Syndrome’ and was only renamed in 1982.
Search Laboratory has held a number of charity events in support of ASSERT already this year, but the most recent is the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge!
Many of the volunteers trained in preparation for the 24.5 mile walk up and down the three testing hills. For others, not so much training took place…
The Journey
We set off from our office at 6:30am and headed up to the starting point at Horton in Ribblesdale. It was a grim and overcast morning with a light drizzle, enough to dampen spirits ever so slightly.
At 8:30am the group headed off up the first hill, Pen-y-ghent.
At around 12:30pm the first wave of walkers reached the stop-off point at Ribblehead Viaduct. There, everyone met with the recovery car and re-fuelled on jam croissants, mango, nuts and water. Fortunately, by this point, the sun was starting to break through the clouds.
For myself and my colleague Amandeep (in the recovery car), it was a lovely day to sit outside a pub and have lunch, which after waving the final group off up the second hill, is exactly what we did!
We then drove to the second break point, between Whernside and Ingleborough, and waited for the group to arrive. A hot chocolate and a 99 cone later, and there they were coming around the bend.
The never-ending hill of Whernside and 17.3 miles of walking had taken the wind out of everyone’s sails, and they were starting to seriously feel the exhaustion kicking in.
After a short rest and yet more re-fuelling, they were ready to head on their way again up the final and possibly most difficult hill – Ingleborough. The very steep ascent is more like rock climbing than a leisurely walk, with a long and torturous descent to contend with once the summit has been reached.
With times ranging from nine hours and 22 minutes, to 12 hours, I am very proud of everyone who took part. It was a great experience for everyone!
We have raised a very impressive £1,432 for ASSERT! Well done and thank you to everyone who took part and got involved by sponsoring or sharing the Just Giving link online!
Can’t wait for the next adventure…
Insights
