RAIN, low clouds and cool temperatures failed to deter a group of firefighters who were joined by some of their children as they completed a fundraising challenge to climb the UK’s highest peak.
The ten-strong Jersey group made a successful ascent of Ben Nevis and in the process raised more than £3,000 for two worthy causes.
The challenge was conceived by 14-year-old twins Charlie and Archie Wilson, alongside their firefighter father Richard. The brothers were classmates of Charlie Lowe, who died in 2023 alongside his father Dean in a hit-and-run incident in Grouville.
Set up in memory of Dean and Charlie to support arts and music access for disadvantaged Islanders and people with learning difficulties, the Lowes Legacy Fund was one of the two chosen causes – with funds being shared equally with the Firefighters Charity.
Mr Wilson shared the idea with his firefighter colleagues and the “Dad’s, Lads and Lasses” team eventually grew to ten, including Marcin Mielka and his 12-year-old daughter Mia, Andrew Gallie and his son James (16), plus Graeme Stokes, whose children Millie (10) and Ollie (7) were the two youngest participants.
The group encountered very different weather conditions to the heat of the Jersey summer, but were able to complete their hike up to the 1,345-metre summit.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said: “The determination shown by both the children and adults made the achievement particularly special and demonstrated the resilience, teamwork and community spirit that the challenge was designed to inspire.”
The fundraising total has already passed £3,000, with donations still possible via justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ben-nevis-2026.
