Paula’s Story: Taking on Mount Snowdon
22 January 2019
The Snowdon Push is Back Up’s most exhilarating fundraising challenge. It involves teams of between 10 and 16 people aiming to conquer the highest mountain in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon. One member of the team must be a wheelchair user, and together they push, pull and climb towards the summit and back again.
In 2018, our 12 teams raised almost £70,000 – all of which goes towards our work supporting people affected by spinal cord injury. Paula decided to take part and was matched with the ACG Cliffhangers team – an architecture firm from Basingstoke.
For Paula, the opportunity to return to the top of Snowdon – a climb she’d made five years before – was too much to miss out on. She adds: ‘‘Never in my wildest dreams did I believe I’d see the top of that mountain again! I soon began to feel the excitement of all that lay ahead.’’
Paula and the ACG Cliffhangers making their way up Mount Snowdon
When the day arrived, Paula felt confident in her team and supported throughout the entire challenge. ‘‘I learnt to put my trust in people I barely knew, but they were very caring and considerate, always checking that I was OK,’’ Paula says. It was a fantastic moment for the entire team to reach the top of Snowdon and realise what they had all achieved together.
‘‘Reaching the summit was exhilarating. The weather was gorgeous and the views from the top were stunning. I could still see the orange Back Up t-shirts of all the other teams, vibrant against the backdrop of the mountainside.’’
As they descended the mountain and realised they were nearing the end, Paula and her team made one last push to reach the finish line where they were greeted by a sea of Back Up supporters, clapping and cheering them on. ‘‘We had done it! I felt so emotional and proud to have taken part,’’ Paula adds.
The ACG Cliffhangers the third-fastest team, and they raised the most money and received the top fundraiser award. Paula says, ‘‘The whole experience was so amazing and one of my biggest achievements since my spinal cord injury two years ago. It was emotional, tough, fun, challenging and so rewarding. One of my most memorable days ever.’’
