Accountants scale the heights for charity

An intrepid team from Whittingham Riddell Chartered Accountants took on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Kidney Research UK – and smashed their target by raising more than £7,000.

The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales and travel between all within 24 hours.

The team - which comprised 18 walkers and four drivers - started at 6am at Ben Nevis, Scotland and then travelled to Scafell Pike in the Lake District, before finally conquering Snowdon in Wales.

The team had set a deadline of five hours for Ben Nevis, four hours for Scafell Pike and four hours for Snowden, with the rest of their time taken up by travelling.

The walkers did an amazing job and completed all three peaks in the allocated time. Unfortunately, due to circumstances completely beyond their control but involving road accidents and diversions, completing the challenge in 24 hours was not possible. However, determined to carry on the team persevered and completed the three peaks in 26 hours.

Final donations are still to be collected, but it is expected that the challenge will raise over £7,000, which is considerably higher than their original target of £3,000. This includes donations from a dress down days, a charity poker evening, cake sales and a raffle.

Thanks go to Lee Powell for organising the challenge on behalf of the firm and to Partners Phil Lane, Roy Jackson, Jacki Pugh and retired partner Graham Murphy for staying awake and driving the team to where they needed to be. A special thanks also to Oswestry School who kindly donated two mini-buses to transport the team.

Managing partner Phil Lane said: "I was delighted to take part in the challenge. It was a major team effort and I witnessed first-hand the group pulling together under challenging (and at times terrifying!) conditions.

When Lee first approached me about the firm taking part in this challenge I thought they were crazy. They have given up their evenings and weekends to go on practice walks and I am thrilled with their determination and commitment over the past months. They should all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved and I would like to thank them on behalf of the Partnership. What a superb effort. Well done Team WR!"

The firm chose Kidney Research UK, as Tom Downes, a director at the firm had a Kidney transplant this summer. It is because of the great work by charities like Kidney Research and Tom’s determination that Tom is now on the road to recovery.