by Jenni Horn

Intrepid fund-raisers completed the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of a cash-strapped charity.
The team of 14 raised £3,000 for CPC Kent, which runs the Smiley Steps Centre in Cliffe Woods for children and adults with cerebral palsy.
Their mission began in the Scottish Highlands, with the highest peak in the UK, Ben Nevis. They set off at 6.30am and from the outset, the team realised it was going to be a lot tougher than expected.
Karen Dockwray, fund-raising and marketing coordinator for CPC Kent was one of the walkers.
She said: “The weather was pretty good until around the half way point when we were greeted by vast amounts of snow. This made climbing up the ridge very difficult as we kept sliding back down.”
After reaching the top, the team had a slow walk down and enjoyed a packed lunch before setting off just 30 minutes on a six-hour drive to the next mountain - Scafell Pike in the Lake District.
The team started the climb at 8.30pm and walked through the night, using head torches for light. After battling through a hail storm and heavy showers, they made it back to base point at 3am. But there was no time to stop for a rest - Karen and the rest of the team had to board the minibus once more and head to the last peak.
Karen said: “Reaching Snowden in Wales at around 8am, we were informed that the conditions on Snowden were awful, there had been four mountain rescues the previous day. But off we went, everyone was exhausted but surprisingly still in good spirits.
“After climbing Snowden, around 30 hours after starting Ben Nevis, we had done it. We celebrated with fish and chips and a cup of tea. Everyone was totally exhausted but most said they can’t wait to do it again next year.”
Linda Phillips, fund-raising manager for CPC Kent, said “We cannot thank the team enough for taking part in this challenge and raising funds for CPC. We could not have asked for a nicer bunch of people to take part in what hopes to be the first of many Three Peaks Challenges in aid of CPC.”

If you would like to join CPC Kent on the Three Peaks Challenge next year, or to find out more about the charity and how to donate, call 01634 220330.