Jack Morgan during a recce of the route. Photo: Andy Jackson
A man who was paralysed from the chest down in an accident in Assynt has set himself an uphill task to raise cash for his local rescue team.
Jack Morgan will tackle one of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks on a mountain trike in a fundraiser for the Cave Rescue Team.
The 36-year-old lecturer will be supported in his effort by Andy Jackson, a colleague at Craven College in Skipton, North Yorkshire, who is a member of the Clapham-based rescue team which, despite its name, carries out most of its rescues above ground on the fells of the Yorkshire Dales.
Mr Jackson is no stranger to fundraising challenges himself. In 2014, he ran the 192-mile Coast to Coast route in three days for another Yorkshire Dales rescue team, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
Andy Jackson
Mr Morgan’s friend Richard Brooks, who has multiple sclerosis, will also take part in the ascent of Pen-y-ghent on 23 April. The men’s family and other members of the Cave Rescue Organisation, in whose area the mountain stands, will help the two men in their quest to make the seven-mile ascent of the 694m (2,277ft) peak, using the Pennine Way from Horton in Ribblesdale.
Former amateur rugby player Mr Morgan suffered head and back injuries when he fell from cliffs near Lochinver in Sutherland 5½ years ago.
He said: “Richard and I wanted to do something that is a personal challenge and raises money for a good cause.
“We will be using self-propelled mountain trikes and are in training to achieve it. I am determined to have my photo taken at the peak of Pen-y-ghent with my family and friends.
The two men will use trikes to attempt the ascent of Pen-y-ghent
“I recced the route to the base of Pen-y-ghent with Andy and decided the classic route used in the fell race was the best and gave us the most realistic chance of success. My passion is the great outdoors and being able to enjoy it with my friends and family.”
Mr Morgan set a target of raising £500 for the CRO through his challenge, a sum he has already surpassed. Further donations can be made via his justgiving page.
