A BROMSGROVE family took on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Andy Hurst, his partner Jackie Fowler and her brother and sister, Hugh Allen and Lis Gardener raised more than £300 after completing the grueling task to celebrate the award’s diamond anniversary.
They climbed up Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in just 24 hours for the scheme which helps disadvantaged and vulnerable youngsters.
Andy said it was the group’s children who inspired them to make the climb.
“Either through lack of opportunity or lack of enthusiasm as kids none of us had taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award yet all of our children have achieved it,” he said.
“In all it took us 23 hours and 22 minutes. It was tough physically and mentally. The three climbs are hard in themselves, but there is no opportunity for a rest.
“We had two ten-minute breaks on the motorway on the whole journey and ate and slept on the move.
“The worst part was the top of Scafell Pike.
“It’s an inhospitable place even in daylight, the majority of it is uneven and covered in rocks and stones but couple this with the pitch black of night and it was not the most welcoming place.
“We spent only two or three minutes at the top of each climb before descending, finishing with only 40 minutes to spare.
“It’s clear that if you stop any longer than absolutely necessary it will take more than 24 hours.”
