Stuart completes his MUCH MORE THAN a Three Peaks Challenge!

Stuart

Earlier in the year, Stuart Beeston, shared all of the heartfelt reasons for why he was embarking on his epic, unique endeavour to cover over 1000 kilometres by foot, bike and kayak and climb the famous three peaks of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and finishing on Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in Wales along the way.

And now, he has achieved that special challenge. Congratulations and massively WELL DONE, Stuart.

He’s also raised more than £4,000 for Wirral Hospice St John’s in memory of his dad Malcolm and in recognition of the hospice’s Hospice at Home team who cared for Malcolm in the final days of his life.

On the banner at the top of the page Stuart is pictured with his mum, Brenda, and team members from our Hospice at Home service.

Stuart’s family story is below and his Just Giving sponsorship page is still open if you would like to make a kind donation at www.justgiving.com/page/stuartbeeston

(Stuart added a detour to Moel Famau on his way to Snowdon to pay tribute to his dad on the video below).

Stuart’s story..

When your dad is a materials technologist it’s perhaps no surprise that he might ask you to help him test new types of water-proof fabrics, life rafts, and life jackets by jumping from high diving boards into cold swimming pools. At the age of 10!

This is one of the great experiences Stuart Beeston tells us about, when he is describing his “genius” dad, Malcolm. It begins to explain some of the reason why Stuart has become, it’s fair to say, an adventurer, in his adult life.

The reason Stuart is talking to us is that dad, Malcolm, was supported by our Hospice at Home team in the last week of his life and, though it was only for a short period of time, he really cannot speak highly enough about the care his dad received

Malcolm himself had said,

“I don’t need to go to heaven; I’ve got my angels here.”

It’s a heartfelt sentiment which has stayed with Stuart and why he launched his sensational Much More Than A Three Peaks Challenge.

Malcolm as a young man

Malcolm was Stuart’s idol growing up. Materials technology had seen him build a career via Littlewoods, Birkenhead’s Beaufort air sea equipment, subsequently Survitec (global suppliers of marine survival products), into carbon fibres and eventually his own very successful business based in Doncaster.

Loving to travel, Malcolm and Stuart’s mum, Brenda, had been all over the World. They’d seen most of the USA, Canada, the Far East and Europe, although their favourite was undoubtedly Italy. With fine dining and good food always on the agenda, Malcolm’s was a life well lived.

Stuart describes the Hospice at Home team who had supported his dad and how he wants to thank them,

Malcolm with Stuart’s mum, Brenda

“My dad deserved the best care and that’s exactly what he got. He hadn’t been one for the doctor so when we knew that his cancer was at a late stage, we honoured his wish to die at home.

Their first visit was on a Saturday and within a couple of hours of being assessed by the hospice health care assistant’s there was an appropriate bed, supplied by MedEquip, set up.

On Monday dad rallied and was eating hot and sour soup from a Chinese banquet we ordered to have together. Over the next couple of days his condition deteriorated, and we knew it was a matter of time.

The staff were so attentive, and by Thursday his passing was peaceful and dignified.

I resolved straightaway that I wanted to do something special in memory of my beloved dad and to raise some funds for the awesome people at Wirral Hospice St John’s.”

Stuart has previously led mammoth challenges to Kilimanjaro, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, several trips into the Himalayas, and other adventures including deserts and jungles around the globe. He’s a member of British Cycling, and a Mountain Leader who is trained, and trains others, for rock climbing, mountain biking and he’s a rope rescue specialist.

Wow. Incredible!

Stuart’s wife, Tracey, and daughter, Sophie, were his support team for the trip, while his older daughter Jess  supported all the administration back home.

Tracey handled logistics and accommodation, making sure the van was ready at each stop/start destination with bike, kayak, footwear and appropriate clothing at the ready.

Sophie joined Stuart for some of the challenges and chronicled with camera phone and social media her dad’s progress.

Stuart, the hospice will be eternally grateful to your Dad, you and all of your family and friends.