This July, a small group of the Groundforce team from Ailsa House in Leeds took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
They embarked on the mission in an attempt to raise vital funds for WaterAid. Find out a little bit more about why they took part and how they got on.
What is WaterAid?
WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, founded in 1981 by water companies with the aim to provide clean water and sanitation worldwide to those who need it. They are determined to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere, within a generation. Only by tackling these three essentials in ways that last can people change their lives for good.
What is the Yorkshire Three Peaks?
The challenge takes place across three peaks within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The peaks reached in the trek are Pen-y-ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres). Climbers usually approach the challenge in that order and aim to complete in under 12 hours. Forming part of the Pennine range, they encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble.
How are Groundforce taking part?
The team started the challenge around 8am on 23rd July 2022 and took between 11-12 hours to complete it. There were some wobbles along the way but the team persevered, with the challenge being harder than they had anticipated. Steven Taylor-Costa - Principal Engineer at Groundforce Shorco, took part in the challenge and said;
“The 3 peaks trek was a great personal achievement for me, and I was determined to see it through to the end. Despite the gruelling trek through every type of weather, my enthusiasm did not wane. The combined spirit of the group kept me going with a skip in my step. If you’re looking for a challenge, I would definitely recommend it. My only advice would be to take plenty of spare socks!”
Further fundraising also took place at Vp Head Office in Harrogate, in the form of a much less gruelling bake sale. Attracting buyers from all round the office and the wider Vp businesses.
All in all Groundforce managed to raise £420 for WaterAid, which has since been matched by Vp plc, taking the final total to a fantastic £840 for the charity.