Harry Potter stars James and Oliver Phelps swapped their broomsticks for climbing boots as they took on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for their favourite charities The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Credit/Copyright: RNLI
The twins, who play Fred and George Weasley in the blockbuster series, scaled the heights of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 23 hours after setting off on their challenge.
Taking in Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, Oliver said: ‘Climbing Ben Nevis took a lot longer than I thought it would but it was incredible to make it to the summit.. at the top of Britain. Scafell Pike was a challenge as it was where I hit ’the wall’ and by the time we got to Snowdon, I had only had about 2 hours sleep. It was tough getting to the top with fatigue setting in. But finally making it up there with just enough time for one last photo, despite the rain, I made it down just inside the time limit.’
Oliver added: ‘The pride and relief was amazing in completing the three peaks and it was a very rewarding experience . My stamina is higher than I thought it could be. The great support that I received from everybody kept me going, so huge thanks go to all.’
Encouraging their followers on Twitter to sponsor them, James has been raising money for the world-leading children’s hospital whilst Oliver has been raising money for the RNLI.
‘I have made a couple of visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Christmas parties for a few years now,’ said James. ’But it was only earlier in the year that I visited the hospital itself. And it is a day I will never forget. Not only did I see how hard working all of the staff there are, but how amazing the children in there are also. Even for some, fighting life threatening illnesses, their attitude and determination was something that I will always remember.
‘Before I had even left the building I had decided that I wanted to do something to raise a little bit (of the £50m+ a year) to help rebuild and refurbish the hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research.’
Oliver is hoping to raise £2k to cover the costs of equipping and training two RNLI lifeguards who will patrol Fistral beaches in Cornwall, a beach he has surfed off in the past. Helly Hansen, official supplier to RNLI lifeguards who provide a seasonal service on 163 UK and Channel Island beaches, have also helped by providing the technical clothing Oliver needed to complete the challenge. In 2010, RNLI lifeguards aided 18,779 people and saved 107 lives.
