Bournemouth FMB Member Completes Gruelling Alpine Expedition
Posted by: electime 7th November 2025
A member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has successfully conquered nine Alpine peaks in a demanding 10-day mountaineering expedition, raising over £3,600 for a friend who tragically died in a car accident.
Joe Cole, from Bournemouth, is Director at All Build Development Ltd and serves as the National Board Representative for the Southwest region of the FMB. He undertook the challenge across Switzerland, France, and Italy, culminating in summiting the 4,000-metre Gran Paradiso, the tallest standalone mountain in Italy.
The ambitious expedition followed a serious workplace injury. After rupturing his quadriceps muscle in a fall last year, Joe underwent major surgery to reattach the muscle and endured a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Reflecting on his motivation, Joe said: “When I came through the recovery, I had a difficult period and spent a lot of time at home. I decided there were several things I wanted to do, including climbing some big mountains. Organising the expedition and raising funds for the Steve Bernand Foundation felt like a great way to combine these goals.”
The Steve Bernand Foundation, established in memory of Steve Bernand, a talented young footballer and close friend of Joe’s, has been a cause close to his heart for nearly two decades. Steve tragically lost his life in a car accident shortly after starting at Chichester University.
The expedition faced several unforeseen challenges: adverse weather conditions, team members withdrawing due to illness and family emergencies, and storm conditions with 30cm of forecast snow and 60-70 mph winds ultimately made the key objective, climbing Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, too dangerous to attempt.
However, Joe’s flexibility and determination saw him achieve more than initially planned. He began with acclimatisation climbs in Switzerland, successfully summiting peaks including Lagginhorn and Jegihorn. The team then spent three days at an unmanned winter refuge hut on the Moiry Glacier, melting snow for water and sharing the glacier largely to themselves.
Additional summits included Pinge de la Lé (over 3,000m), Pointe de Moiry (over 3,100m), Dent de Rosses, Le Petit Flambeau, Le Grand Flambeau, and Aiguille Marbrées, with the grand finale being Gran Paradiso in Italy.
Joe said: “I originally planned to climb three mountains but ended up climbing nine. It’s been an incredible 10 days, not quite the original goal, but plenty of amazing achievements nonetheless.”
Iain Kirtley, South Director, Federation of Master Builders, added: “I am immensely proud to have Joe representing our members in our South West region. Joe’s achievement is truly inspirational and demonstrates the incredible spirit of our fantastic members who go above and beyond, not just in their businesses but in supporting their local communities.
To overcome a serious injury and turn that experience into such a positive challenge that benefits others is remarkable. The determination and resilience he has shown in conquering six Alpine peaks while raising thousands of pounds for the Steve Bernand Foundation exemplifies the values we champion at the FMB.”
