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CHC winchman tackles mountain challenge for charity

A BRAVE CHC helicopter winchman has put his body and fitness endurance to the test after successfully climbing seven mountain peaks spanning over 5000 meters to raise money for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Despite the aches and pains, wind and rain, Andy Elwood and his fiancé climbed the gruelling Mourne Mountains, Northern Irelands highest peaks in just over 12 hours. The trek included, Slieve Donard, at 850m it is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. Starting at sea level in Newcastle, County Down, Andy embarked on the expedition to help his 19 month old nephew, Mathew who was born with Down’s Syndrome.

Andy had to embark on a rigorous training regime suited to high altitude pursuits, taking nutritional and training advice to ensure he was at his peak physical condition before battling the elements.

Andy has now raised over £2700 for the charity, which will go towards helping young people with Down’s develop life skills and realise their potential through a citizenship project. Last year the children got involved in their own community by volunteering locally. This year they are going one step bigger and putting a team together to take part in an international project, which will see the children travel to Romania.

Andy said, “When Mathew was born, I didn’t know very much about the condition, I wanted to change that so I could support Mathew as much as possible. I joined the Down’s Syndrome Association to find out what I could do to help him live a full and rewarding life. Growing up, leaving school and thinking about the future can be difficult enough for all teenagers and families, but for those with Down's syndrome there may be additional practical and emotional challenges. I wanted to do my bit to ensure Mathew has a happy and fun-filled life.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has shown their support and sponsored us. We never expected to have raised so much in such a short time. We trained extremely hard in the run up to the challenge, determined not to let the weather or blisters stop us, we climbed Monroe’s near our home in Shetland at every given opportunity. We didn’t want to let the charity or Mathew down.”

When the big day arrived we felt ready and prepared for what was ahead. When we reached the summit of the seventh and final peak, the sense of achievement was overwhelming. After 12 hours of difficult conditions, I returned home to normal life. However, these families face living with difficult challenges their whole lives.”

Andy has already planed his next challenge in an effort to raise even more money for charity. He and his fiancé have planned to do a tandem cycle from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu in Nepal later this year.

The Down’s Syndrome Association provides information and support for people with Down's syndrome, their families and carers, and the professionals who work with them. They strive to improve knowledge of the condition and champion the rights of people with Down's syndrome.

To make a donation to the Down’s Syndrome Association, visit Andy’s giving page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/7x7s.

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