West Midlands paramedics prepare for Three Peaks ultra-challenge - The Solihull Observer

West Midlands paramedics prepare for Three Peaks ultra-challenge

Solihull Editorial 24th Jul, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

A PARAMEDIC is preparing to climb more than 11,000 feet and cycle nearly 500 miles in an ultra-challenge to raise money for Alzheimers research.

Jethro Bartle, a member of the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), will not only tackle the grueling Three Peaks Challenge but will also cycle between each of the mountains.

The 40-year-old who lives in Solihull said he was ‘no stranger to challenging events’, having completed 24-hour cycle events and ultra-events previously – though has never combined the two together before.

Jethro added: “I once read a quote by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first woman president, who said: ‘If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.’




“Clearly the weather will play a part in how long it takes but I am confident with the support of my colleagues it should be possible in about three days.

“At least I’ll have first rate medical care should I need it.”


Jethro will not be alone in his conquest – he will be supported by fellow HART members Si Greenfield, Andy Wright and Andy Gelesthorpe.

The trio will scale each peak with Jethro, but will man a support vehicle while their colleague jumps on his bike.

The challenge will begin on Monday (July 25) and will see the team start with the ‘simple’ task of climbing 4,409 ft up Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the British Isles, located in Scotland.

They will then travel 290 miles to the foot of the highest point in England, the 3,210 ft Scafell Pike, before a further 195 mile journey to Wales, where they will take on the 3,560 ft Snowdon.

The record for completing the challenge is 47 hours 47 minutes, and was set by former World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington who described it as ‘the hardest thing’ she had ever done.

And while Jethro spends his days providing medical care to patients in hazardous conditions, such a collapsed buildings, nerves are kicking in ahead of next week’s mammoth challenge.

“I am nervous about it but I’m looking forward to the challenge of pushing myself like never before,” Jethro admitted.

“I am confident that I can complete it but am hopeful of doing so within three days.

“I am training hard but with the support of my team I am very much looking forward to this amazing challenge.”

Jethro and the team are hoping to raise more than £2,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity aiming to identify the causes, risk factors, treatments, and preventions for the four main types of dementia.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JB-3Peaks or text JBPK88 £(amount) to 70070 to donate to the team’s efforts.

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