TWO BRAVE women, Laura Fiddes-Baron and Kelly Merriman, completed a tortuous hike when they undertook the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday, raising £855 for The Alzheimer’s Society.
The two started the day at 6am in the little village of Horton which is at the foot of the first mountain Pen-y-gent.
After a bacon bap and a briefing on the journey, they set off, covering 18 miles over the first two mountains before taking on the biggest and most challenging one – Ingleborough. The pair described the final peak as ‘incredibly steep with a fair bit of scrambling’.
Laura, the lettings new business manager at Oulsnam in Barnt Green, told The Standard: “I felt like I was climbing on my hands and knees for most of it.”
Despite their intense training beforehand, the two women said the hike tested them to the limit. Laura (pictured) said: “We both managed to get around through sheer grit and determination – it was far, far harder then either of us anticipated.”
After climbing the Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough with heights which average 5,200ft the pair said they felt relieved and had a ‘well-earned cup of tea’.
“We are both so proud we completed this extremely tough challenge and are delighted that we have so far raised £855.
“Thank you everyone who has supported our cause- we are really touched by everyone’s generosity,” added Laura.
Visit www.alzheimers.org.uk to donate to The Alzheimer’s Society.
