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Sarah Joiner on Helvellyn

Sarah at the dinner table

We were delighted that Sarah Joiner, former Lady Mayoress of Westminster, was able to join us for our Helvellyn Supper. She has lived with MS since the age of 21 and it certainly hasn't stopped her living life to the full. Read below about her experience of supper on a mountain...

"I've always thought life should be one long party (though I firmly believe in working for my supper too) so when the MS Trust asked me to join their special supper on the 11th of September to launch the My Supper for MS initiative, I immediately said yes. But would I have to get to Letchworth or would they come to London? Oh no, this was much more exciting than that!

"Jenny Kershaw, the Trust's fundraising manager outlined the plans - It'll be black tie, do wear something glamorous. A proper sit down dinner for a select gathering, silver table decorations, the works. I enthused appropriately - How lovely and the location of this special do? Ah, said Jenny, this is the really fun bit. It's at the top of Helvellyn!

"I had heard of Helvellyn - it's one of the major peaks in the Lake District - and my heart sank. My days of mountain climbing are long over, with or without something glamorous. But Jenny had left the most exciting bit to last. Men in uniform! The RAF had agreed to take the dinner party to the summit by helicopter. This was going to be an occasion to remember!

"And so on Monday 11 September I found myself tripping down to breakfast at my friend's working organic farm in velvet evening dress and dazzling jewellery, much to the hilarity of the other breakfasters in muddy overalls. The day was bright and clear - perfect helicopter weather.

"We gathered at Sharrow Bay Hotel at Ullswater mid morning to do a flurry of interviews for local TV and various radio stations. Andrew, Jenny, Diane, Juliet and I looked rather overdressed for so early in the day but it meant we could tell everyone who commented what we were aiming to achieve! Cas at RAM PR with Bev worked all sorts of miracles co-ordinating the schedule. Having all behaved in a perfectly grown up manner up to this point, we disintegrated into very excited teenagers the moment the roar of the approaching helicopter could be heard. This was it, it was really going to happen.

Sarah in the helicopter

"Andy, an ex Red Arrows pilot and Mike, a serving helicopter pilot had travelled up to Ullswater with their colleagues, Harry Palmer and Stu Houghton in the helicopter from 60(R) Squadron based at Shawbury. A quick change behind the helicopter turned our overalled pilots into dashing dinner guests. A thorough safety briefing for all and the first party boarded the craft.

"I travelled in the second run and absolutely adored it. I have always loved military aircraft and it was a seriously considered career option. But in my day, women were not allowed to fly and that was a great disappointment. The MS came along when I was 21 so that wouldn't have helped matters! I now gaze at them from the ground at every opportunity.

"At the summit, the table was laid with white cloths and silver. The Squadron's silver sparkled in the warm sunshine. A delicious meal was served, the main course being an excellent and piping hot beef casserole from the Michelin starred Sharrow Bay Hotel. As we sipped our wine and chatted amongst ourselves, bemused hikers stumbled on the path beside us, unsure as to whether the exertion of the walk was provoking a mirage or we were actually real! One lady sitting at the cairn to have her sandwiches announced that she'd rather have what we were eating.

"Suitably fuelled with such a good meal, we posed for photographs and took spontaneous donations offered by some of the hikers. Andy and Diane took to the hillside for a dance and the helicopter buzzed overhead.

"Then all too soon, it was time to go. The helicopter gathered us up in two runs. I stayed for the second to get two opportunities to see the landing. Stu very gallantly carried me on and off the flights (though more realistically to stop me from becoming a hazard!). The flight back was piloted by Mike who showed us exactly what a defence helicopter could really do as we swooped and turned across the Lakes. The views were spectacular!

"Back to terra firma and reality but what a day!! Thank you everyone! Particularly Jenny, Cas and Bev who brought a thought to life!"

Sarah Joiner
September 2006

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