Telford product developer raises over £700 in charity challenge
A Telford product developer has raised more than £700 for sick children in a charity challenge which saw him trek across 60 miles of Shropshire countryside in less than 22 hours.
Manhole cover designer James Benting, along with friend and former Royal Engineer Dave Hill, set themselves the challenge of a 30 hour trek to raise money for Birmingham Children's Hospital. But when a knee injury became problematic after 40 miles of strenuous hiking, Mr Hill bowed out leaving his friend to finish the job.
The 27-year-old who works for Telford-based Fabweld Steel Products, a leading manufacturer of access covers and drainage equipment, completed the challenge which covered the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Stiperstones and Long Mynd, in less than 22 hours.
James said: “It was tough, but I think it went as well as it could. We started at 10am last Saturday from Clee Hill and I covered all the hills and places I set out to walk. The first 40 miles went smoothly, so it was such a shame for Dave when his knee started to get painful. But he was such a great companion for the time he was with me, but it gets to a point where if the pain takes over, you just have to stop.”
“There were moments where it really got tricky navigating over the unknown route after we came through Church Stretton towards Wenlock Edge. But that's what this was all about, it wouldn't have been a challenge if it was easy!”
During the early hours of November 11, James was joined by Fabweld Steel director Wayne Carter and his son, Tristan, for the last section of the trek which ended at the summit of the Wrekin at 7.30am
Mr Benting added, “The final 10 miles on the roads were excruciatingly painful, and I can't express the relief once I'd finished. In all, it took me 21 hours and 30 minutes to complete. I joked before how tough it would be carrying one of our manhole covers on this challenge, I think that might be nigh on impossible, but never say never!”
James, who lives in Shawbirch in Telford, won national recognition earlier this year when he was awarded with the Institute of Civil Engineer's QUEST Technician Scholarship. His work was instrumental in developing a new manhole cover with a unique key allowing just one person to lift and open it.
“I am just so grateful to Dave, Wayne and Tristan who supported me along the way, and I would also like to thank everyone who has sponsored me, enabling me to exceeded my original £500 target and its now looking like we'll raise around £1,000.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor James can still do so by visiting his Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/James-Benting.
