ECB’s Chief Financial Officer Scott Smith is taking on the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales, cycling between the tallest summits to help raise money for the Ruth Strauss Foundation starting on 16 June.
Scott, alongside his teammates Rachael Smith, Matthew Pryke, Gavin Bewick and Nick Maltby, are aiming to be the first group to Cycle the Summits with the added challenge of completing it on a Brompton Bicycle, the iconic folding bike. Their aim is to raise £25,000 for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, a charity the team hold close to their hearts.
The Foundation was set up by Sir Andrew Strauss in memory of his wife Ruth, who sadly lost her battle with an incurable lung cancer that affects non-smokers in 2018. The charity looks to provide professional emotional support for families to prepare for the death of a parent from any terminal disease and drive the need for more research & collaboration in the fight against them.
Both Scott and his wife Rachael Smith were friends with Ruth and were devastated by her loss. Another member of the team, Gavin Bewick, sadly lost his mum to the same type of lung cancer meaning they are dedicated to doing everything they can to raise as much money for RSF as possible.
The event will see the team brave Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in just three days, summitting each before cycling to the next on Brompton bikes. Each day will comprise of one summit and approximately 150 miles of cycling. The total amount of cycling will be 450 miles (elevation 5700m) and hike 27 miles (elevation 3600m).
The challenge is being supported by Brompton Bicycle who have produced a custom made red RSF bike for each team member and 1 additional bike as a spare to be auctioned off at the end of the challenge to raise more funds. Garmin have also provided all of the technology for the event including GPS, smart watches and even radars to warn the team of approaching cars from behind all with spares to be auctioned at the end.
Scott Smith said: “I’m honoured and excited to be doing this challenge for such a great cause, it means a great deal to me and the rest of the team. We’ve all taken part in physical challenges before but nothing quite like this one. We’re used to ultramarathons and conquering some of the world’s most notorious mountains but not three in three days on a Brompton!”
Sir Andrew Strauss commented: “I worked with Scott for a long time and he knows just how important the Ruth Strauss Foundation is to me, my family and now so many others across the UK. I think he and his team are mad to take on a challenge like this but we are incredibly grateful and thankful for their hard work in raising money and awareness in Ruth’s name.”
To find out more and to donate please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=CycletheSummits&isTeam=true
For more information on the Ruth Strauss Foundation please visit: ruthstraussfoundation.com
Day 1
3am: Hike Snowdon, 1,085 metres
7am: Cycle from Snowdon to Kendal, 152 miles (245 kilometres)
Day 2
5am: Cycle to Scafell (Ambleside), 21 miles (34 kilometres)
7am: Hike Scafell Pike, 978 metres — Return hike to Seathwaite
12 noon: Cycle from Seathwaite to Crawford Biggar, 97 miles (175 kilometres)
Day 3
4am: Cycle to Fort William, 149 miles (240 kilometres)
7pm: Hike Ben Nevis, 1,345 metres