A group of volunteers have raised over £5,000 for a local charity after completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.

The team of six, who volunteer at Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled, near Ugborough, raised £5,650 for the South Hams Charity after completing the challenge at the end of July.

The three peaks challenge involves climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, over a 24 hour period. These include Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon, which amounts to over 27 miles of hiking, nearly 10,000 feet of climbing and 462 miles of driving.

The team began their challenge in Fort William with Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, which saw adverse weather conditions, and thick fog at the summit with a temperature of only -2 degrees. The group then travelled to The Lake District to climb England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike. The weather again, created challenging conditions, but the team were able to climb through the night and complete the mountain safely. The group finally arrived at the foot of Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, only 20 hours after summiting Ben Nevis 462 miles away, and despite yet more rain, wind and challenging conditions, conquered the final summit in a time of just over 24 hours.

The team were fundraising for Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled, a unique equestrian facility that strives to give disabled people of all ages the opportunity to both enjoy the sheer exhilaration and the therapeutic benefits of horse riding and being around horses in a safe and structured environment.

The group aims to provide education through equine experience. Activities range from providing fun and enjoyment, teaching life skills and improving self-esteem, to offering independence, and improving communication, balance and co-ordination. The charity is wholly reliant on donations, fundraising, and support from the local community and is always seeking volunteers to enable the continuation of the important work that they do.

The team of climbers from the charity included Brian Thurston, Hannah Walters, Zoe Walters, Rosie Sice, Hugh Reade and Eleanor Halton.

Hugh Reade, speaking on behalf of the team, said: “we are thrilled to have been able to raise such an influential amount of money for the charity and we would like to thank all those who supported the event in some way.”

He continued: “Special thanks go to The Ivybridge Rotary Club for their generous sponsorship of the minibus, Charles Reade, for kindly covering our fuel costs, Teign Vehicle Rentals for their reduction in the cost of the minibus, Paul Sice and Paul Halton for their vital support as drivers and navigators during the challenge, and to everyone who donated to the cause to help us raise the funds.”