may63
New member
Load of good, clean fun had Apr 14 2005
By Helen Korn, Ormskirk Advertiser
A PRIMARY teacher reached the peak of success after climbing a 3560ft mountain - with a washing machine strapped to his back.
Mark Gibbons, 28, from Ormskirk, wanted to raise money for the Kenyan Orphan Project by carrying the six-stone appliance up Mount Snowdon in Wales.
He was inspired to help after seeing the success of his friend Paul Lyon who cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End, raising over £500 for the charity.
Mark said: "It was one of those crazy ideas you get on a night out.
"I don't think anyone has ever done anything like this before - at least not with a Hotpoint Deluxe 800!"
The fundraiser spent a whole day making himself a harness out of an old ruck-sack and used string the next day to attach the washing machine to his back.
Friends John Alcock, Matt Collins and Geraldine McAdam also climbed the mountain and were there to spot him in case he tripped up or was struggling.
A sign on his back read "This is for charity, I'm not crazy" to alert confused passersby.
During the eight-hour trek up the mountain, several generous people stopped to donate money and Mark managed to collect an impressive £200 on the mountain alone.
Some American women watched the climber in awe and one man even took the machine off him for a few yards and then gave him £2 for the privilege.
On eventually reaching the summit, Mark got his highlydeserved sandwiches out of the drum and ate them.
He added: "I was tired at the end of it, but it was a nice day, so it wasn't too cold. "I want to thank everyone who gave me donations during the climb and everyone who sponsored me."
By Helen Korn, Ormskirk Advertiser
A PRIMARY teacher reached the peak of success after climbing a 3560ft mountain - with a washing machine strapped to his back.
Mark Gibbons, 28, from Ormskirk, wanted to raise money for the Kenyan Orphan Project by carrying the six-stone appliance up Mount Snowdon in Wales.
He was inspired to help after seeing the success of his friend Paul Lyon who cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End, raising over £500 for the charity.
Mark said: "It was one of those crazy ideas you get on a night out.
"I don't think anyone has ever done anything like this before - at least not with a Hotpoint Deluxe 800!"
The fundraiser spent a whole day making himself a harness out of an old ruck-sack and used string the next day to attach the washing machine to his back.
Friends John Alcock, Matt Collins and Geraldine McAdam also climbed the mountain and were there to spot him in case he tripped up or was struggling.
A sign on his back read "This is for charity, I'm not crazy" to alert confused passersby.
During the eight-hour trek up the mountain, several generous people stopped to donate money and Mark managed to collect an impressive £200 on the mountain alone.
Some American women watched the climber in awe and one man even took the machine off him for a few yards and then gave him £2 for the privilege.
On eventually reaching the summit, Mark got his highlydeserved sandwiches out of the drum and ate them.
He added: "I was tired at the end of it, but it was a nice day, so it wasn't too cold. "I want to thank everyone who gave me donations during the climb and everyone who sponsored me."
