20 December 2004 00:00 Central Networks’ employees battle the elements to raise over £4,000 for charity

Employees from Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands, have battled traditional British weather to climb three mountains in just 24 hours and so raised over £4,000 for charity.

The group, who are based at Central Networks’ headquarters near East Midlands Airport, and at Sleaford Delivery Centre, were taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge – where participants climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell in Cumbria and Snowden in Wales in just one day.

Team member Stella Hayward, said: “It was a gruelling 24 hours. We started climbing Ben Nevis at ten in the morning, Scafell at nine in the evening and Snowden at six the next morning.

“The weather wasn’t on our side, we faced freezing mists, torrential rain, and gale force winds - we even climbed Scafell when it was pitch black. However, we were delighted to take part and to raise so much money for charity.”

The team’s efforts raised £2,272 in sponsorship money, and E.ON UK has agreed to add a further £2,000 to the total. The money raised has been donated to the Rwenzori Development Foundation, which runs environmental and educational programmes in Uganda.

The team included Emma Lawrence, Stella Hayward, Stephen Hayward and Joe Wright from Central Networks and Stella’s brother Stephen Knafler. Central Networks colleagues Shaun Smith and John Iliffe helped out as van drivers, chauffeuring the team between each of the locations.

“We’re very proud of our achievement and would like to thank everyone who sponsored us,” said Emma.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity.
• The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer