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The Big Interview - Andy and Diane Hill
Andy Hill spent 16 years in engineering after leaving school, working for a host of local companies including British Aerospace, Aero and Industrial Technology and GEC.
But in 1993, he decided to move in a different direction by taking up a degree course in youth work at St Martin's College, Lancaster.
It proved to be a life-changing move for Andy and his wife Diane who have just set up their own business.
The Hills, who have a five-year-old son Joshua and another child on the way, have established Hill Climb Activities Limited.
They have bought a portable state-of-the-art climbing wall which can be taken to many different venues for young people, adults and corporate groups to climb.
Up to four people at any one time can scale the 24ft high wall which has three faces and is made of strong fibreglass.
Andy, 42, said: "People think we are mad setting up our own business but my philosophy is that you work to live."
The Hills had reckoned on taking the wall on 10 outings between summer and Christmas in their business plan.
But in July alone, they took 10 bookings and a further 17 during August so far - far exceeding their expectations.
The venues for the wall have included an army recruitment spectacular in Essex, a gala day at a Wigan church, Borwick Hall centre in Carnforth, and the Arts in the Park event and a Mela festival in Blackburn.
Diane said: "The wall's first outing was to our son Joshua's school, St Mary and St Benedict's on Brownedge Lane, Bamber Bridge. We felt very proud and it was great to bring the wall out for something which meant a lot to us.
"It was something the school and probably the people of Bamber Bridge had never seen before.
"It was such a success and the school raised quite a lot of money. Even the associate headteacher Peter Gerrish had a go on the wall."
Andy added: "Our Land Rover has done thousands of miles over the last month and at one stage, I worked for 40 consecutive days!"
After quitting engineering, Andy gained his degree in community and youth work and a postgraduate certificate in management.
He joined Wigan Youth Service, working as a borough-wide co-ordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and then as a social inclusion manager within schools.
He later worked as a social inclusion manager for two years at Shevington High School, running more than 30 residential trips for youngsters including a two-week trip to Australia. He also instructs in canoeing, mountaineering and kayaking.
His sporting prowess is reflected elsewhere in his family, whose two brothers and three sisters all play sports to a high level.
Fulwood-born Diane was formerly a health development co-ordinator for the University of Central Lancashire and later a personal assistant to the Dean of the Lancashire Business School.
She recently spent a year as a teaching assistant at Shevington High School.
Andy said: "While we were still young enough, we decided to set up our own business.
"A lot of people were saying that they didn't understand why we didn't do it earlier because I had built up so much expertise and set up alternative curriculum programmes for young people."
But making their way to the top has been no easy climb for the Hills.
They had to sell their house on Duddle Lane, Walton-le-Dale near Preston, to raise 30,000 to purchase the climbing wall and set up the business.
They spent several weeks living with family friends Rosie and Kevin Doran in Walton-le-Dale before they could move into their new home on Springwood Close, Walton Park.
Diane, 37, said: "Rosie and Kevin had only been in their new house for two weeks themselves.They actually came up with the idea of incorporating our own surname of Hill into our company's name.
"Andy helped them to put a gate in at their new house. We celebrated finding a name for our business by smashing a bottle of champagne over the gate to celebrate the registration of our new company and them moving into their new house."
The Hills had to wait months longer than expected to take delivery of their portable climbing wall from the United States.
They were told their first wall had been written off after a lorry ploughed into it en route. Then they were informed their second wall had been stolen from Felixstowe.
Andy said: "I was in the Lake District, standing on the end of a jetty when I got a phone call from Diane telling me it had been stolen. It is a good job there was nobody standing near me who could hear what I said!"
But after grappling with such teething problems, their new business is now in the ascendancy.
They have set up a company website www.hillclimbactivities.co.uk and have tried to use local companies to help them set up their business.
Leaflets have been printed by Sprintprint Limited in Bamber Bridge, logos, t-shirts, car signs and wall banners have been designed by North West Screen and Design Limited in Lostock Hall and Willy Banjo in Preston helped designed the company website.
Diane said: "We have tried to do this to support other local businesses.
"I also don't believe in using cars unnecessarily so I will be cycling to collect the leaflets and distribute them."
The Hills are now on the lookout for a suitable indoor venue so the climbing wall can be used throughout the winter.
But Andy admits his dream would be to see the climbing wall on the Deepdale pitch.
The keen North End fan said: "When Diane and I went travelling across the world in 1998, my first task when we got out of the Sumatrian jungle was to find out how PNE had gone on!
"I used to get the Evening Post match reports sent out to us.
"So my ambition would be to get the wall on the centre spot at Preston North End."
Diane said: "To set up our own business is just fantastic.
"It is such a commitment but thousands of people do it and we are glad to give it a go.
"When people ask me what I do, I sometimes forget that I am working from home.
"But it is nice to be able to get up and walk to the office within two minutes!"
For further information on Hill Climb Activities Limited, contact 07903 573585 or email info@hillclimbactivities.co.uk
Also visit the website at www.hillclimbactivities.co.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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