Lyndsey Jamieson and Cornwall Hospice Care – BE MORE

Often in life we are gifted in knowing of individuals that are just superhuman, the power and energy to light up the darkest of rooms and fill lives with boundless positivity. That friend was Lyndsey Jamieson, a true friend that in 2018 was tragically taken from family and friends by cancer with such devastating impact that lives were changed forever.

In 2019 a close friend of Lyndsey’s, Simon wanted to give back in her memory and so had the idea to take on the three peaks challenge, walking the three highest peaks in the UK all in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care in St Austell. Simon recalled how the Cornwall Hospice provided amazing, doting, sympathetic care for Lyndsey in her final days of dignity. Simon said that he was always inspired by Lyndsey, the way she looked at life and so it was time to give back.

The idea was to show people that no matter how impossible you may think something is to you, you can achieve your goals, and so hence why Simon chose to take on the difficult challenge of the three peaks. The words from Lyndsey’s mum Carol, best describes the strong feeling and desire it took for Simon to complete this challenge.

“From a very early age, Lyndsey had a kind, gentle and beautiful approach to life and really cared about our environment. She was the most selfless person I know and had lot of time for people of all ages.  She strived to be the best she could be in life and inspired others to do the same.  She was fun loving and great company as she had such an easy-going outlook.  She had a calm and logical approach to problems and always knew how to help and make you relax. Hence where the saying ‘Be More’ came from.

The three peaks challenge was born, and the work started.

After many months of planning and preparation the day had finally arrived, as the 0600-morning heat greeted team Polymermedics. With company MD Neil Skyba at the wheel of the team bus, Simon, Adam, Sharron, Dan, and Daz all prepared to leave with wide smiles that hid nerves inside. This, the start of the long journey ahead to Scotland was made so much better with great kindness and thanks to Enterprise Vehicle hire for the awesome Ford Tourneo custom bus, helping support both the challenge ahead and Cornwall Hospice Care.

The sun shone on us throughout the day as we made our journey, hoping that the beautiful Cornish weather stayed with us over the next 36 hours. Stories were shared as thoughts turned to the days ahead, the challenge and why we were all here together remembering Lyndsey and the strength that she gave. Time it appeared was one of those most precious of commodities, perhaps the greatest gift you can give is your time, because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that has true meaning. This three peaks challenge was one of those times for us all.

A planned stop off and visit to Lyndsey’s parents Carol and Terry near Widnes came as a welcome break and leg stretch from the team bus. A chance to meet such wonderful people whose wholehearted support was truly inspirational for us all. Simon had spoken with Carol and Terry about the challenge in memory of Lyndsey and to raise funds for the Cornwall Hospice. As we greeted, hugged, and shared memories with Lyndsey’s mum and stepdad, Simon collected a slate coaster with the written message, ‘Lyndsey 24.01.18 Always in our Hearts.

The task was simple, leave the coaster on the highest peak just that little bit closer to heaven so Lyndsey could see. Carol sees Lindsey as the sun, Simon knew this gesture of love got the message to Lyndsey and that little bit closer to the sun.

12 hours after leaving sunny Cornwall Team Polymermedics arrived in Scotland.

The following morning an early 0700 start and a hearty breakfast was had by all, a chance to add those extra calories for the day as the oppressive heat was already being felt. Back on the Polymer team bus, we had another hour plus travel up through the western highlands towards Fort William and our destination, the base of Ben Nevis. The journey through this amazing part of Scotland was already showing us what lay ahead and the peaks and hills yet to climb, which in the scheme of things were small compared to the challenge that was Ben Nevis.

Upon arrival nerves had now turned to excitement, as the team wanted to get underway and start the challenge and the 4406ft of climb ahead. This was it; all those months of training and preparation were here, ready to face the peaks and a chance to remind ourselves why we were doing this, for Lyndsey, we wanted to me more like Lyndsey. As the morning temperature hit 30 degrees and wearing our Polymer Three Peaks Challenge t-shirts (kindly provided by Lex Design St Austell) we were ready to face Ben Nevis, a mountain which was nowhere to be seen but our stunning surroundings reminding us of how tough this challenge was going to be.

Simon recalls the feeling at the bottom of Ben Nevis, was one of nerves, excitement, and immense pride in the people around us both in Scotland, Liverpool, and home. The burden of pressure placed on myself to complete the challenge and everything that we wanted to achieve. This feeling probably accounts for my incredible loss of energy and sick feeling in the first 2 hours, due to the huge amount of nervous energy flowing through me.

Camaraderie is a word I learnt a new meaning for on this climb, the team’s unwavering support, the fellow 3 Peaker’s that we met during their own challenge, the fist bumps, words of solidarity and support as we passed to each other as so many took the time to speak, shake hands willing us to the top. So many highlights which include the Scottish father and son who I felt compelled to tell how I felt about understanding Scottish pride when you see their awesome highlands, and their response of welcome to the 1% club “Nobody see it like this up here, you’re so lucky.

Once at the top of Ben Nevis, we knew what being in that 1% club felt like, the views were breathing and beyond what any of us expected. The laying of the slate coaster by Simon was made even more meaningful. We now truly understood the words from Lyndsey’s mum.

“From a very early age, Lyndsey had a kind, gentle and beautiful approach to life and really cared about our environment. She was the most selfless person, had a lot of time for people of all ages.  She strived to be the best she could be in life and inspired others to do the same.  She was fun loving and great company as she had such an easy-going outlook. Lyndsey had a calm and logical approach to problems and always knew how to help and make you relax. Hence where the saying ‘Be More’ came from

Returning to the base of the mountain showed us more stunning scenery, meeting a group of school children from St Dominick in Cornwall made us feel at home. Simon greeted them with a shout of any Cornish on the mountain, the following Oggy Oggy Oggy, by all reverberate down the mountain for all to hear.

7 hours after starting a tired team arrived back at the team bus where driver Neil greeted us with congratulations and smiles as we packed.  Moments later we left Ben Nevis behind us and headed out of Scotland and across the border.

With a food stop on the way we headed to the Lake District National Park in Cumbria to face the next phase of the challenge. The 3209ft climb up Scarfell Pike, the most prominent mountain in England and part of the Southern Fells. As the bus made the overnight journey, the team of tired bodies slept as our awesome driver did his duty part.

A beautiful sunrise greeted us in the Lakes, and after the hustle of a busy car park at the base of Scarfell the team started their next climb at 0430hrs, well before the rest of the world was awake. Even at this time of the morning we were joined by walkers heading up and down as words of encouragement were exchanged, best wishes passed as we ascended peak number two.

Along the way we met two guys who were raising money for AMMF, the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity, they were raising funds specifically for the form of cancer that so cruelly took Lyndsey. We all took a moment to appreciate the dedication that was needed to tackle this devasting disease.

The arrival at the peak of Scarfell Pike was met with clear skylines, displaying views of total beauty and breathtaking scenery that made us feel as if we were on top of the world. The climb had been shorter in duration, but tired legs acknowledged the continuous steep climb we had just completed. A brief rest told us it was time to head back to the bus and make our way to our third and last peak, Snowdonia.

Team Polymer started their journey to Wales and to face their final peak, not before a fuel stop was needed for the team bus. As the stop was made at a small village petrol station, we spotted a coffee kiosk, and the draw of caffeine and cake was too much for us all. It was then that we stopped, looked, and stared at the name of the coffee kiosk – Lyndsey’s Coffee Shop. The whole reason we were here doing this. Sometimes life is too ironic to fully understand but it takes sadness to know what happiness is and the absence of Lyndsey to value who she was.

Snowdonia, and all 3560ft of her stood before us as we entered the northern edges of Wales. The final peak of three was here at last. With tired feet and bodies willing minds and hearts we wore smiles on our faces as we departed the team bus for the final climb.

The feeling of elation for us all was there to see, as this was the moment that our challenge was coming to an end and so with much pride, we told many that asked that this was the third and final peak. The congratulations and words of encouragement we received as we commenced the climb, filled us with pride too but also with sadness. This had been a truly emotional experience, the time, the place, the team bonding was extremely special.

As we made our way the steady path slowly disappeared to areas of climbing as we saw in the distance the peak of Snowdonia shrouded in mist, hidden from view. The long winding climb facing us reminded the team of how much we still had to do. Fellow climbers seemed so small in the distance, facing their own life challenges as did we. Many were finding that moment of life experience that we would never forget, as we climbed in silence embraced by our own thoughts.

As the peak of Snowdonia got closer and we made the final ascent as the clouded mist lifted, the sun breaking through. It felt like this was the final message for us, a nod from Lindsey as we stood together at the summit, joining hands placed on the triangulation pillar that told us we were on top of the highest mountain in Wales. Together we had smashed the three peaks, the elation was heart wrenching as tears flowed.

The final descent, the final mountain took us back down the Llanberis path from the summit. The climb down the first part was challenging and steep, as we navigated the loose rock and scree as we headed back to the team bus. The final stages were taking its toll on the knees and feet of us all as we approached the 33hrs mark of our three peaks challenge. The feeling of pride was immense and once again the congratulations from other walkers came thick and fast as they heard we were closing in on the final stages of our expedition.

As we followed the Miners Path around the side of the mountain the last part of the climb was flat, a welcome break as we all chatted about how we were feeling and the sense of accomplishment as it started to sink in as to what we had achieved. The achievement for Lyndsey, for the Cornwall Hospice and how they provided nothing but extraordinary care for Lyndsey in the short time that she spent with them. Simon remembered that the care and compassion was nothing short of amazing from the attentive staff, but also by the way that Lyndsey faced her final days, calm, stilling caring and thinking of others as she always did.

Simon reflected on placing the slate at the top of Ben Nevis and shared these words with us.

“I can honestly say that the sense of elation and pride I have felt because I was able to perform the duty that I had set myself, has been so emotional.

Simon had this final word for his fellow three peakers.

Wow……from the late unexpected additional walker Daz to the ever-present Adam, Dan, Shaz and our awesome driver Neil, I can only describe this as a pleasure and a privilege to have kept such great company, they are now a part of me.

A True-Life event, I don’t think I will ever come down off this high.

The ever present and amazing man, Neil Skyba greeted us as we arrived back at the car park with the waiting team bus and the calling from Cornwall to take us home. Together we learnt something new about ourselves, about life and how the challenges in life will always be there.

It’s how you embrace those challenges, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Remember Lyndsey – BE MORE