Brothers with cerebral palsy to reach the top of Stoodley Pike

Brothers Nathan, left, and Andrew with Calderdale Search and Rescue Team and mum and dad Joanne and Eldred Greenwood

Teenage brothers, Nathan and Andrew Greenwood, who have cerebral palsy and are wheelchair users, are taking on the community Aim Higher Ravenscliffe@SpringHall and Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team challenge.

Ravenscliffe High School pupil Nathan Greenwood, 12, and his brother Andrew, 13 - a Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby Bridge, student will be rope lifted to the viewing platform of Stoodley Pike, Todmorden, on April 26 as part of the Spring Walk for Spring Hall weekend - which hopes to bring a community together to aim higher for children with physical and mental disabilities.

Nathan will be carried in his wheelchair across moorland to Stoodley Pike by four members of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team and Andrew will be transported by stretcher in a seated position, to Calderdale’s popular tourist attraction.

Andrew Greenwood, 13, will be specially lifted by Calderdale Search and Rescue Team to the top of Stoodley Pike, Todmorden, in the Ravenscliffe@SpringHall Aim Higher challenge

The brothers met up recently with Calderdale Search and Rescue Team members.

Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team member and organiser of Aim Higher, Mick Smith, said: “The aim of the meeting was to familiarise the boys with us and the equipment. We will rope lift them either internally or externally to the viewing platform of Stoodley Pike. Ravenscliffe is a brilliant cause which promotes achievement and always aims higher. As a charity, our aim is to promote the stunning countryside we have around us and inspire people to get out and enjoy Calderdale’s incredible views.

“We want Nathan and Andrew, who can see Stoodley Pike from their house, to think proudly ‘we’ve been to the top of there’.”

Nathan and Andrew’s parents Joanne and Eldred, of Todmorden, have embraced the aspirational Aim Higher challenge which their two disabled sons will take on.

Ravenscliffe student Nathan Greenwood, 12, who will be specially lifted to the top of Stoodley Pike in the Ravenscliffe@SpringHall Aim Higher challenge pictured with the Calderdale Search and Rescue Team team who will help him on the day, from left, Rob Freeman, Mick Smith, Alastair Morris and Sophie Keeler

They say their sons were really excited about visiting the life-saving emegency service’s Mytholmroyd base and seeing the equipment the team uses to save lives.

Eldred said: “The whole Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team made us feel very welcome and at ease. All members of the team were amazing with the boys and we have every faith in their knowledge and handling of our boys.

“Nathan didn’t stop smiling and was up for anything the team wanted to try.”

Eldred and Joanne say they are really excited about the Aim Higher event as part of the Spring Walk for Spring Hall weekend and will be accompanying their sons on the day.

mag grid. Caption: South Pennines, first feature, June 1

29/4/08 Brian Savage a mountain biker from Hull heads towards a famous Calderdale landmark Stoodley Pike which at 100ft high can be seen for miles around. Stoodley Pike is the second monument erected after the first feel down in 1854 forty years after it's erection to commemorate the defeat of Napoleons armies at the battle of Leipzig.

Picture taken on a Nikon D2Xs digital camera with a 70-200mm lens at 102mm with an ISO of 400 and an exposure of 1/500th sec at f 5.6 — mag grid. Caption: South Pennines, first feature, June 1 29/4/08 Brian Savage a mountain biker from Hull heads towards a famous Calderdale landmark Stoodley Pike which at 100ft high can be seen for miles around. Stoodley Pike is the second monument erected after the first feel down in 1854 forty years after it's erection to commemorate the defeat of Napoleons armies at the battle of Leipzig. Picture taken on a Nikon D2Xs digital camera with a 70-200mm lens at 102mm with an ISO of 400 and an exposure of 1/500th sec at f 5.6

Joanne said: “The challenge is something we never thought would be possible - it’s tough enough for able-bodied people. The fact that Calderdale Search and Rescue Team are going to make this happen is wonderful and we’re touched to be a part of it.”

Ravenscliffe High School head teacher Martin Moorman, said: “Seeing the pictures of Nathan and Andrew was one of the best moments I’ve experienced in my 20 years at Ravenscliffe - if ever a picture painted a thousand words.

“Thanks to Nathan and Andrew and their parents Joanne and Eldred and Calderdale Search and Rescue Team for really embracing it.”

Members of the public who take part in the sponsored walk are invited to Copley Cricket Club, Copley, from 4pm on April 26, to watch a special video of Nathan and Andrew’s Aim High Calderdale Search and Rescue Challenge - food and refreshments will be served.

Sponsor Nathan and Andrew in their Aim Higher challenge by visiting virginmoneygiving.com/aimhigher