Human power replaced jet power when a team of 31 from RAF Lossiemouth aged from must nine years old to almost 60 trekked to the highest point in Scotland.
Serving personnel from the Moray base were joined by partners and children to take on Ben Nevis – and their stunning efforts managed to raise £2700 for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
At the heart of the amazing effort was Hayley Tedds, whose husband Jonathan serves at the Moray base. Hayley said: “I wanted to organise something for the RAF Benevolent Fund because of the amazing work they do and the idea of doing something as a big group would increase the family atmosphere of the challenge.”
There was no shortage of volunteers to join Hayley in preparing for the effort, amongst them experienced hill walkers Scott Sharman – who is a rescue helicopter winch man with 202 Squadron’s ‘D’ Flgiht – and his wife Nele.
While Scott and Nele ensured the team were all physically and mentally prepared for their challenge they were led to the summit was Mark Brain. Youngest member of the team was Tyler Tedds who completed the trek in a little over five hours.
The team’s success on reaching the summit was capped with a flyover by a Sea King from the Moray base.
At the end of the trek Nele Sharman said: “Everyone’s determination and enthusiasm was empowering.
“Every single one of them amazed me with their walking spirit. It was an emotional and physically exhausting day, but I hope everyone enjoyed the experience and it encourages them to do more challenges.”
The challenge was supported by Team RAFBF Lossiemouth, who were set up in November 2012 to raise funds and awareness for the RAF Benevolent Fund locally.
Local co-ordinator is Karen Cox, who commented: “It was a privilege to be involved in such a fantastic event and see the idea grow to the huge challenge it became.
“Many of the trekkers had no experience of hill walking, so to see them grow from complete novices to conquering Britain’s highest peak was amazing!”