Student scales Britain’s highest peaks for charity

Gavin Cotrell at the top of ben Nevis

In July this year, 24-year-old Gavin Cottrell who lives in Littleborough attempted the Three Peaks Challenge on behalf of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

The mature student, whose life was turned around when he enrolled on an Access course at Hopwood Hall College, raised hundreds of pounds in sponsorship before he attempted the feat.

However, he was forced to abandon his initial attempt on the 25 July due to a torn medial ligament. Mr Cottrell was devastated by this as so many people had faith in him and had offered generous donations on his successful completion, including the College’s Principal Derek O’Toole.

However, the tenacious student did not give up.

Mr Cottrell said: “In a previous article I was described as inspirational and thus, I simply had to live up to my name. Undeterred, I immediately began my rehabilitation and got back into full training within 3 weeks. But I don't believe this story should be an attempt to blow my own trumpet.

“The real inspirational characters in this piece are the people that have set me on the way to this and future challenges. The staff on the Access to HE course who do a remarkable job in helping to turn the lives of people, who have fallen away from education, around. They deserve every accolade available and I thank them for what they've done for me.

“I must also thank the people that have so generously donated to the Jane Tomlinson Appeal account. This includes a gentleman from Salford who remarkably donated £10 of the JSA he now receives following the recent demise of his industry. What a man!

“I have now begun my life at university which will hopefully result in me achieving my goal of become a psychotherapist and behavioural change specialist. In addition to this, I also aim to use my time at university to achieve greater goals such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.”

Mr Cottrell re-did the challenge this September, scaling the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales in a comfortable 22 hours and 37 minutes. He also achieved a fantastic result on his Access course, gaining 69 distinctions and 3 merits – an amazing achievement, particularly for someone who has returned to education after many years.