Andy Whitworth and Rob Fell of GVC successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge from June 9-10, 2018, to raise money for the William’s Fund – Duchenne UK, a charity that funds the research and treatment of Duchenne, a rare form of muscular dystrophy that affects young boys. In completing the challenge, the pair have raised more than 36,000 pounds so far thanks to incredible support from a huge number of companies and individuals in online gaming.
The pair successfully climbed three of Britain’s highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scaffell Pike, and Snowden – in 23 hours and 46 minutes, squeezing them under the 24-hour challenge deadline. Whitworth and Pell were part of a team of 11 walkers who took up the challenge in support of Duchenne England. The entire team completed the challenge within the 24-hour limit, which is an incredible achievement considering that only 40 percent of those who took part are estimated to finish on time. The total 11 were made up of friends of Andrew Haycock, the father of two-year-old William, who is affected by the disease, along with Andrew himself.
By the end of the challenge, donations had been £36,085.21 but continued to rise after more exposure on social media after completion. Andy and Rob presented checks to William’s parents, Andrew and Jessica Haycock, after completing the challenge.
Andy and Rob jointly spoke about the challenge:
“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us in raising money for an incredibly important cause. It has been incredible to see our gaming industry colleagues personally and corporate, as well as extremely generous donations from friends and family. We would like to express our special thanks to the GVC marketing team for donating £10,000 that started the fundraising, and to the top three donors – Red Tiger, Playn Go, and Prasimatic Play – who have become our ‘flag sponsors’.
“The gaming industry is not lacking in critics, but this is a demonstration of the generosity of the spirit of those who work within it. Thank you from both of us from the bottom of our hearts.”