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Dräger manager set to complete final UK ‘Big 3’ ultra-running route for charity

Dräger manager set to complete final UK ‘Big 3’ ultra-running route for charity

Challenging 64-mile run to be completed in less than 24 hours

 

Aberdeen – Dräger Marine & Offshore is supporting one of its Aberdeen managers as he bids to raise thousands of pounds for the Newton Dee charity by fulfilling a personal ambition to complete the UK’s ‘Big 3’ ultra-running routes.

The global gas detection and breathing apparatus provider is backing manager Dave Thompson (51) as he attempts a 64-mile route of 47 hill summits, with 28,000 feet of ascent, in less than 24 hours next month.

The Paddy Buckley Round in North Wales is one of the three major UK ultra-running challenges, together with the Bob Graham Round in England’s Lake District and the Charlie Ramsay Round in Scotland; both of which Dave has previously completed.

Dräger’s good causes committee heard about the challenge and decided to provide the additional financial support. The firm’s own breathing equipment was tested in the Welsh hills by world-famous mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary as he prepared to become the first person, along with Tenzing Norgay, to summit Mount Everest more than 65 years ago.

Father-of-one Dave lives in Aberdeen, close to Newton Dee, which supports adults with special needs in a live-in community village. He will also independently raise funds for Streetsport, a group he volunteers with on a weekly basis.

He said: “I’m lucky enough to have the chance to complete the ‘Big 3’, which is a feat that very few people have achieved. It’s appropriate that I’ll be running over the Welsh hill Tryfan, which is where the Everest team tested their Dräger breathing apparatus. I’m pleased to have the support of our good causes committee to enable us to further support Newton Dee.

“My training has included early morning runs of up to 14 miles and I’ve visited North Wales to time the route and familiarise myself. It is going to be tough, I know that from taking on Scotland’s Ramsay Round, which took me four attempts, but I’m ready.

“My wife, Anne, and daughter Anna have also been hugely supportive as my regular training and long trips away have taken me away from family life over the last six months.”

During the June hill-run in Snowdonia National Park, Dave will be completely unsupported, but has planned two stops for food and fluids. The route, also known as the Welsh Classical Round, was first completed in 1982.

Newton Dee has earmarked funds raised by Dave and Dräger to go towards the construction of a new, two-storey community home on its site near Aberdeen.

There will also be a chance for the staff to visit the project and see the work being carried out by the adults with special needs and the volunteers.

Streetsport, which forms part of the Denis Law Legacy Trust, will also benefit from Dave’s personal fundraising efforts. The programme provides free weekly sports and creative activity sessions for young people across Aberdeen.

To find out more about the charities involved or to donate to the cause, visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveThompsonPBR

Published: 16-05-2019

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