Three Medway Messenger reporters are closer to raising £1,500 for a charity challenge thanks to a donation from a coffee shop.

The Rochester Coffee Co, based in the High Street and with another branch planned in Chatham Maritime, has handed over £250 to Jenni Horn, 26, Sarah Shaffi, 25, and Keyan Milanian, 26, who are taking the Three Peaks Challenge for CPC Kent in May.

It involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, the three highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours – a total of 25 miles and a height of about 10,000ft.

Director of the Rochester Coffee Co, Aaron Telford, 21, said: “Having completed my Duke of Edinburgh gold award I understand how difficult the reporters’ challenge is going to be and was more than happy to help, short of joining in.

“We believe it’s important to support local charities and activities that benefit them and the community.”

News reporter Keyan, said: “We are so grateful to the Rochester Coffee Co for this generous donation. Without the support of Medway businesses like this we would be struggling to gather the required funds to take part.

“We discovered what an excellent cause CPC is while working with the charity as part of our Christmas campaign, so a massive thank you must go to Aaron and his colleagues.”

CPC Kent, in View Road, Cliffe Woods, provides care to the elderly and those with disabilities and also runs the Smiley Steps centre, which offers conductive education to children under five and needs to raise £250,000 every year.

All three reporters began training this week at Virgin Active in Medway Valley Park and have started a blog.

Follow their progress at www.messengerclimb.blogspot.com

If you’d like to sponsor the three log on to www.justgiving.co.uk/messengerclimb and follow the instructions or call the newsdesk on 01634 227803.

The charity is still looking for more people to join the Three Peaks Challenge so contact the fundraising team on 01634 220330.