Carleton man to tackle Three Peaks with 2 stone teddy for Blackpool Carers Centre

A Carleton man is preparing to tackle the Three Peaks to raise money for Blackpool Carers Centre - with a two stone teddy on his back.
By Rebecca Beardmore
Published 15th Sep 2020, 15:45 BST
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Paul Howlett, 53, is no stranger to raising money for good causes and the current pandemic has spurred him into action once again.

At the start of lockdown, Paul cycled 29,030 feet - the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest - in fancy dress up and down Devonshire Road for Blackpool Carers Centre, raising £1,160.

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He then decided to take part in his own Ironman triathlon for the Newton Drive-based charity in July, raising a further £551.

56-year-old Paul Howlett from Carleton is set to raise money for Blackpool Carers Centre in November, by completing the National Three Peaks Challenge with a two stone teddy on his back.56-year-old Paul Howlett from Carleton is set to raise money for Blackpool Carers Centre in November, by completing the National Three Peaks Challenge with a two stone teddy on his back.
56-year-old Paul Howlett from Carleton is set to raise money for Blackpool Carers Centre in November, by completing the National Three Peaks Challenge with a two stone teddy on his back.

Not content with the impressive amount of money he has raised to date, youth hostel manager Paul set himself another challenge for November - the Three Peaks Challenge, with a giant teddy on his back, adding an extra two stone to carry.

Paul said: "A friend of mine in the North East asked if I wanted to join in with the National Three Peaks Challenge, so I saw it as another opportunity to raise money for the carers.

"They've been hit so hard by the pandemic like all charities, and when they reached out to ask for help I was more than happy to.

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"Another friend gave me a giant teddy to use as a raffle prize, but I decided instead to get it involved in the fundraising and use it to help the young carers feel like a part of the challenge too."

Paul Howlett and his giant teddy had a practice run for the National Three Peaks challenge by hiking up Nicky Nook in Scorton.Paul Howlett and his giant teddy had a practice run for the National Three Peaks challenge by hiking up Nicky Nook in Scorton.
Paul Howlett and his giant teddy had a practice run for the National Three Peaks challenge by hiking up Nicky Nook in Scorton.

The young carers at Blackpool Carers Centre will be tasked with naming the bear, which will have a GoPro camera and satellite tracker attached to it.

"I wanted to make them feel like they're involved each step of the way," Paul continued.

"They may not have the opportunity to climb mountains for a while, so they can follow us on our journey up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon."

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Faye Atherton, director of quality at Blackpool Carers Centre, said: "The pandemic has seriously impacted our fundraising and Paul's fundraising will go towards providing much needed respite and activities for our incredible, selfless carers.

The giant teddy bear Paul Howlett will carry during the Three Peaks Challenge weighs two stone, and a camera and satellite tracker will allow Blackpool's young carers to follow their journey.The giant teddy bear Paul Howlett will carry during the Three Peaks Challenge weighs two stone, and a camera and satellite tracker will allow Blackpool's young carers to follow their journey.
The giant teddy bear Paul Howlett will carry during the Three Peaks Challenge weighs two stone, and a camera and satellite tracker will allow Blackpool's young carers to follow their journey.

"We cannot thank community fundraisers like Paul enough. He has been coming up with crazy fundraising ideas throughout the pandemic, including cycling the height of Everest up and down Devonshire Road hill in fancy dress, doing his own Ironman-distanced triathlon consisting of 140.6 miles of swimming cycling and running, and now climbing the highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales with a huge bear.

"Our young carers are looking forward to finding out more about this challenge, and of course meeting and naming the bear and following it on this incredible journey."

To donate towards Paul's challenge for Blackpool Carers Centre, visit his Just Giving page.