Mountains of Memories

It hasn't even been a year since Lee Rogers set out to climb the 3 highest peaks in each nation of Great Britain, this to raise money to train a guide dog named 'Dannii' in honour of Lee's niece who had tragically passed away at a young age. And now we're mourning another tragic loss as we've lost Lee himself. It's not fair, it's incredibly cruel. After losing Dannii, Lee was quite clearly heartbroken but rather than retreat into darkness he took positive action. That was Lee all over - when life gives you Lemons, make Lemonade - and give it to the thirsty. So Matt Beacham, who accompanied Lee up the 3 peaks last year, decided to take them on again and this time in honour of Lee.

Ever and strangely keen to tackle the arduous climbs and raise money for charity, Matt successfully completed the climbs on the weekend of the 30th July, kitted out with his all new Simplify IT sponsored walking shirt, which was very professionally prepared by Warwick printing company Pixel Studios who we'd like to thank for supporting this endeavour with speed and exceptional quality and service. They also donated the shirt itself once they heard it was for Lee. We thank Paul and team at Pixel and highly recommend them to anybody. Emblazoned on the shirt is what we hope will be the outcome of all this effort, the funding for at least one - and most likely more -  Guide Dogs. Can you guess what the first one's name will be? 

A Guide Dog Named Lee... and maybe Roger?

If you guessed Lee, you guessed right. Guide Dogs was a charity close to Lee's heart. His family would really appreciate it if you could show your support through charitable donation. Ideally they'd like to raise enough money in his memory to have a guide dog puppy named "Lee" - which his daughter Ellie reckons would obviously be the worst behaved pup of any litter & be unlikely to pass out! Well, we're sure he'll be trouble but if he's anything like his namesake he will absolutely smash it. Fundraising has been brilliant, and thanks to generosity of so many, not only is Lee the puppy going to happen, but a second (who may be name Roger) and more...

In loving memory of Lee

Some of you will be aware we had a celebration of Lee's life recently, and the family asked that instead of flowers anybody who wished to make a tribute did so by donating to Guide Dogs. We laughed, we cried, we shared so many amazing stories of Lee's adventures and we donated - And how! Simplify IT matched the many wonderful and generous donations on the day and so we're in a position to go beyond the original hopes of the fundraising initiative. Going above and beyond is what Lee was all about so what a fitting tribute. Lee the puppy, and hopefully Roger and however many others we can fund together, will follow Dannii into a wonderful cause. Thank you so much.

If you have any stories, anecdotes or memories of Lee to share, no matter how dodgy (come on, we know who we're talking about here) please send them to StoriesOfLee@simplifyit.co.uk

Thanks Matt

Of course, all this is helped massively by the endeavours of Matt Beacham. A kind soul and a tireless fundraiser. Kate Bush may be running up that hill at the moment, but Matt chooses mountains and we salute him. It is no mean feat to climb so may metres (and descend them) in questionable conditions in so short a time - and to do so with a cheerful demeanour, with his sponsored walking shirt that would put most Formula 1 cars to shame - is admirable. Well done Matt.

Please, if you can, give generously. You'll find details below of how you can donate. Thank you very, very much in advance.