Members of a Melksham gym have completed the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance, after the charity provided life-saving support to a gym member who collapsed while using the facilities.
The team of 21 people from Energym Fitness on Snarlton Lane recently climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), raising over £1,200 for the charity.
They were inspired to raise the funds for the charity after it gave life-saving support to a member of the Energym community, Andy, who collapsed at the gym.
“CPR saved his life,” explained Hannah Blueitt, a yoga teacher at the gym and member of the Three Peaks team. “We didn’t have a defibrillator in the gym at the time, so we had to run to the nearest one, which was at the Water Meadow pub. Andy survived and is now back using the gym, which is amazing.”
Following the incident, the team planned to raise funds to purchase a defibrillator for the gym and surrounding buildings. However, shortly afterwards Energym’s landlord purchased a defibrillator, and the group decided to donate the proceeds to the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance instead.
“They were absolutely fantastic in supporting Andy,” said Hannah. “We completed the challenge back in August and it was gruelling. We drove up to Scotland at 5am, and after a 10-hour drive, started climbing the first peak.
“We didn’t have much sleep in between the climbs as you drive from one to the other. In total, it took us 31 hours and we had to sleep in the van. It was an amazing experience and something none of us had ever done before.”
The weather added an additional challenge to the already challenging climbs. “It was absolutely boiling,” said Hannah. “It was horrific, but it was an amazing experience.”
Energym Fitness has recently been named Gym of the Year in the Prestige Awards. To support the team, visit their fundraising page https://shorturl.at/q2wAv
Pictured: Andy Dankevics with three of the team who took part in the challenge – gym owner Helen Hidalgo with instructors Hannah Blueitt and Debbie Williams
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