Seven colleagues from Heidelberg Materials’ Whatley quarry in Somerset have triumphantly completed the formidable Three Peaks Challenge, conquering Britain’s tallest mountains—Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon—in under 24 hours. Their remarkable achievement was a heartfelt tribute to their late friend and colleague, Pat Orman, a long-serving electrician who passed away suddenly in December.
The team, consisting of Area General Manager Vincent Pitt, Process Engineer James Veakins, Rail Logistics Manager Dan Welch, Engineering Manager Shaun Eaton, Unit Manager Kyle Smith, Operations Manager Chris O’Connor, and Recycling Manager Dan Billing, faced grueling conditions throughout the journey. Fierce 55 mph winds and poor visibility on Scafell Pike, alongside a detour around a fallen tree on Snowdon, tested their resolve. Racing against time, they sprinted the last three miles down Snowdon, completing the challenge with just 63 seconds to spare.
Their efforts have not only honoured Pat’s memory but have also raised over £7,000 for a heart charity through their Just Giving page. Donations have poured in from friends, colleagues, suppliers, and Heidelberg Materials, which generously matched contributions.
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Vincent Pitt reflected on the challenge: “This was a huge team effort under some very tough conditions, but everyone showed remarkable determination, especially in those final miles. We’re proud to honour our friend Pat in such a meaningful way and deeply grateful for the support from all corners.”
This fundraising initiative complements Whatley quarry’s ongoing commitment to heart health, demonstrated earlier this year by installing defibrillators in the surrounding villages of Whatley and Chantry.