Professor Hugh Montgomery

My main memories were of being much younger, and the huge feeling of excitement.

Many of us (indeed, most at that meeting) had been thinking about such a trip for an age.. and it was exhilarating to sit there and actually think that the dreams might become reality!

My other recollection was somehow knowing that it would happen. Nearly everyone was a 'proven deliverer'- and many of us had worked together (on ICU, or in other realms). We were also all good friends, which made for a great sense of unity. And we suspected that there were real leaders amongst us.

That said, it's interesting to remember how things changed. We very sadly soon lost an inspirational team member - Richard Hamilton - in an accident. The 'N-S traverse' vanished... the scale and costs rose HUGELY... we became a brand... and people reshaped their careers completely to take part.

I guess my final thoughts relate to how right we were. It WAS exciting. The people WERE all 'deliverers'. All WERE (and remain, with bonds strengthened) friends. But none could have known how exceptional a leader Mike Grocott would turn out to be. We knew he'd be good.. but he is, in fact, truly world class.