Three Cumbrian women — Chloe Jardine, Steph Scarbro and Gemma Loraine — will complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge over the May Bank Holiday to raise money for Keswick Mountain Rescue, and the three friends aim to raise £500 while testing themselves on a 24-mile route with more than 1, 585m of elevation. They plan to attempt the route on May 2 during the May Bank Holiday and have so far raised almost £300. The trio are regular fell walkers who say they want to support the volunteer team that helps people in trouble on the Lake District fells.
Three Peaks plan and fundraising target
The group will walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks route — 24 miles intended to be completed within 12 hours and climbing over 1, 585 metres of elevation — as a focused fundraiser for Keswick Mountain Rescue. The team behind the rescue is described as a volunteer unit of 45 members who operate at all hours, 365 days a year, and currently handle about 136 rescues a year. The walkers have set a modest public target of £500 and have raised almost £300 so far through public donations; they have created a JustGiving page for contributions.
Voices from the team and organisers
shared with the campaign, the group said: “On May 2, a small group of us will be attempting (and hopefully completing) the ‘Yorkshire Three Peaks’ challenge to raise money for Keswick Mountain Rescue; walking 24 miles within 12 hours, with over 1, 585m of elevation. “
Chloe Jardine, one of the three walkers, described the motivation: “We initially decided to do it as a challenge for ourselves, but we thought that whilst we were doing it, we could do something to raise money for charity. We all go walking in the fells regularly, so it made sense to raise money for the mountain rescue service. ” She added that this is their first time running a fundraiser as such a small group and noted their regular weekend presence on the fells.
What the fundraiser supports and immediate needs
Keswick Mountain Rescue Team is presented in the campaign material as an unpaid volunteer service of 45 members who stand ready in any weather, day or night. The campaign highlights the annual operational burden on the team and asks the public for help to cover running costs. The organisers say the comfort of knowing a rescue team is on standby during fell walks motivated them to raise funds while taking on the challenge themselves.
What’s next
The immediate next step is the attempt on May 2 during the May Bank Holiday, when Chloe Jardine, Steph Scarbro and Gemma Loraine will set out to complete the 24-mile, 1, 585m challenge within 12 hours; the group expects the attempt itself and the final fundraising total to provide the next public update. Members of the public who want to support the trio’s effort can donate through the fundraising page set up by the group, and organisers say every donation will assist the volunteers who run Keswick Mountain Rescue.
