Targets smashed in charity challenge

The knees were sore, the hair windswept and the nerves rattled, but the Russell WBHO Challenge Team completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks charity walk and smashed all of its targets.

The team comprised Harry Warburton, Matt Wilson, Jake Ogden, Joseph McHugh, Richard Barker, Liesel McQueen, Dan Murphy, Olivia Lea, Darren Williams, Lisa Cushworth, Dean Moran and Lee Hamer.

Nicknamed Chris’s Wanderers in honour of colleague and Bolton fan Chris Scotson who died in 2021, the determined dozen conquered the Pennine summits of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on Friday, April 22nd.

At last count they had raised in excess of £3,400 for mental health charity Manchester Mind, well above the £3k target. The team also managed to complete the 24-mile hike in under 12 hours as planned, having set off at 7am and arrived back by 5.30pm.

The double win made the hard work worthwhile say team members, who battled storm-force winds at the top of the second peak. One of the organisers Liesel McQueen said: “It certainly was epic ! There were times we felt we would be blown off the mountain, but we made it safely up and safely down and honestly I absolutely loved it.”

Another organiser Olivia Lea said: “We realised we’d reached the £3,000 fundraising target that morning just as we were setting off, so everyone was elated. The walk was tough, especially because of the terrifyingly high winds at the top of the second peak, but everyone did amazingly well and we all completed it. Donations are still coming in and we’re so grateful to everyone who has given so generously, we can’t thank you all enough.”

And Darren Williams added: “Well, what a day. 7927 feet of elevation gain, 7854 feet of elevation loss, 80mph winds on the tops and 25.02 miles of the most beautiful scenery you could hope for, when I could ignore the blisters long enough to take it all in!

“It was a huge pleasure (at least now the aching has subsided) to take part in the Yorkshire 3 Peaks with my colleagues. It was also a good opportunity and location to reflect and think on why we were all there, raising money for Manchester Mind in memory of our colleague Chris who we lost last year.

“I’m extremely happy to say we reached and broke our target of £3,000, with a total of £3,422 raised so far. I can’t thank enough the people who have donated money in already challenging times. Thank you all very much. The donations page is still live, so if anyone would still like to donate then you can do so via this link.

“Just a couple of special mentions and thanks. Firstly, to an absolute legend of a gentleman called Tim Norton who provided us with a support vehicle and hot drinks on the day, and IMPACT WORKWEAR LIMITED who provided the very fetching woolly hats free of charge. And, of course, a big thank you to Russells for supporting us on the endeavour.”

The team chose to support Manchester Mind as it is the charity for which the family of Chris Scotson is also fundraising. The team plans to close the fundraiser and send the donations to Manchester Mind by the end of the Bank Holiday, midnight on Monday May 1^st.

Anyone wanting to add to the final total can do so via the Go Fund Me page.

Click here to find out more about Chris Scotson and the team’s motivation for the challenge, and to support the fundraiser please go to the Go Fund Me page.

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