Pals scale peaks to raise £4,000 for charity

Eighteen hikers aged between 23 and 26 took part in the challenge to climb Scafell Pike, Skiddaw and Helvellyn.

Joe Darnell, who organised the event, said: “We walked just under 30km, completing a total climbing ascent of 2,530 metres.

“We completed the challenge in 12.5 hours and have raised over £4,000 for local charity – Empowerment.

“We wanted to raise money for a local charity that fights every day to improve the mental health of our town.”

The group live across the Fylde coast from Blackpool to Ansdell and surrounding areas.

One of the hikers, Sam Tyler, said: “We set off at 2am and overcame adverse problems such as a punctured tyre and 40mph winds on the peaks to walk up three of England’s biggest mountains.

“Our group are all young men and some of us have suffered with or know people who have suffered with mental health and are concerned by the number of male suicides in the UK.

Sam added: “We set an extremely fast pace and managed to complete the challenge in under 12.5 hours.

“So far we’ve now raised over £4,000 and any donations can be made on the Go Fund Me page which is called Hiking for Mental Health.”

Joe added that he hopes their challenge will raise awareness of mental health.

He added: “We wanted to raise awareness of mental health and alleviate some of the stigma surrounding men opening up about their struggles with it.

“We also hoped to promote an effective method of improving mental health by exercising outdoors.”