Three Birmingham professionals have completed their fourth challenge to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity very close to their hearts.
Barry Flint, an Associate at GVA, Adam Rock, an Associate at Bruton Knowles and Robert Sloan, an Associate at law firm Greenberg Traurig Maher ascended 24 peaks across the Lake District – each one over 2,400 feet – within a total of 24 hours’ walking time. The expedition was in honour of Barry Flint’s uncle, who is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s and in memory of Adam Rock’s late grandfather, who passed as a result of the disease in 2011.
The £4,000 raised from this challenge will support the Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Dementia Cafes’ initiative throughout the Midlands, which offer café style get-togethers for dementia sufferers and their carers. GVA was a corporate sponsor for the expedition.
Barry Flint, Associate in GVA’s Property Management team comments: “The team has each been affected in one way or another by dementia, whether through dealing with family members currently suffering from the progressive disease, or through the experiences of relatives that have recently passed away.
“Close to half a million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the UK and we all feel passionate about the importance of raising awareness of the early symptoms and the help and support that is available. The Alzheimer’s Society is an excellent charity and we are very grateful to all our friends, family and corporate sponsors such as GVA who have donated so generously.”
The trio’s previous fund raising challenges for the Alzheimer’s Society have comprised a walk across Hadrian’s Wall in 2006; in 2007 the team embarked on a canoeing expedition down the River Wye; and in 2008 the trio cycled 200 miles ‘coast to coast’ crossing the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. A total of £20,000 has been raised from the four challenges.
Other corporate sponsors of the 24 peaks in 24 hours challenge include commercial interior designer Eos Interiors, property maintenance group First National Service and Primitivos Bar and Eatery.