Marie Curie Cancer Care Fundraiser and Paul Ellis

Paul Ellis and his support team (Sarah, Paige and ?)

On Saturday I was working for Alan Kimber Mountaineering, and we were marshalls for the Marie Curie Cancer Care fundraiser charity walk up Ben Nevis. At the beginning of the day all the fundraisers happily set off into beautiful morning. I happened to take this photo (above) of Paul Ellis and his support team. I later learnt the names of Sarah and Paige in his team. Read about Paul on his website (amputeepaul.co.uk). He has an amazing inspirational back story, and I was glad to have had the opportunity to have met him on Saturday and witness his success, up and down safety, and independently off the mountain. During my own walk up the mountain, as I walked over the rough ground I was thinking about how Paul would find every step harder than I did. I chatted with him at the top about pain in particular. I started by simply saying something like 'Are you in any pain?, and he started his long answer by saying 'Oh yes ...'.

He got up in a mere 5hr 45mins, and his round trip (after a good break at the top) was only 11hr. He wasn't the last fundraiser off the hill, there were several behind him. Congratulations Paul.

Glen Nevis in the early morning

Thick mist at the top for much of the day

One of the tourists I met (this was Kirsten), at Gardyloo Gully

Paul at the top, with the observatory behind. Paul made it to the top in 5hr 45min. Inspiring effort - congratulations