Ben Turner and Jay Ingram have been pushing their limits in support of The Great Tommy Sleep Out, taking on the Three Sleeps Challenge – a unique twist on the classic Three Peaks Challenge – to raise awareness and funds for homeless veterans.
Across the weekend of Saturday 8 to Monday 10 March, the friends climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, carrying everything they needed to survive in the wild.
They began with Ben Nevis, tackling treacherous conditions while carrying 25kg packs. The brutal ascent and descent made them realise that they wouldn’t need such a heavy load for the next two mountains: a game-changer for the rest of the challenge.
With lighter packs and glorious weather, both Scafell Pike and Snowdon were an incredible experience for the climbers, offering breathtaking views and a well-earned sense of achievement.
Originally, the pair had planned to sing karaoke on the summits, taking song requests from supporters and belting out tunes with a portable karaoke machine. However, the relentless wind, rain, and freezing temperatures on Ben Nevis made this impossible. Instead, they focused on completing the challenge, sharing their journey and raising awareness through live streams and social media posts.
Ben, from Deal in Kent, who runs a recycling and removals firm, said:
“Our goal was to step out of our comfort zones, push our physical and mental limits, and raise vital funds for those who’ve served our country.
“This cause is incredibly close to our hearts, and we’re proud to support RBLI and the amazing work they do. Jay is a former serviceman, so this was especially meaningful for him. While the challenge didn’t go exactly as planned, we adapted and kept pushing forward, inspired by our reasons for doing it.”
Throughout their journey, Ben and Jay also took the opportunity to ‘give back’ to the mountains, collecting and carrying down two full bags of litter left behind by other hikers on Snowdon.
