A TEAM from Petersfield are to attempt one of the most gruelling of physical tests in the UK, the Welsh 3000s Challenge.
It will see the team from Moneybarn vehicle finance company in Bedford Road attempt to climb 15 Welsh mountains higher than 3,000 feet in less than 24 hours.
During the non-stop event, the eight hikers, backed up by their six-strong support team, will walk 30 miles, most of it up and down the mountains.
In the process, they hope to raise thousands of pounds for The Rowans hospice and Cancer Research UK.
Although there are a couple of outdoor pursuit enthusiasts on the team, for the rest, tackling such a physically demanding challenge is a new experience.
And, aware of the lack of fitness and mountain walking skill, the team has been in dedicated training since the idea was born after some of them completed the Three Peaks Challenge last year.
Support crew member Sam Wooller said: “The team has spent hundreds of hours in the gym and gone on practice hikes across the South Downs every fortnight.”
As part of his training, James Cutting goes up and down the Shoulder of Mutton hill near Steep – often five or six times non-stop.
He said: “There is daily banter about gym sessions, diets, all the training, there’s a real team spirit.”
Hiker Allan Cummings added: “The training put in will be the key to our ability to complete it, we have become a very cohesive group.”
As part of their final preparations for the challenge on Saturday, June 9, the team climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales.
James said: “The team did amazingly well and overcame loads of new challenges. We had an absolute blast and learned so much that we can apply to the actual challenge – it’s only weeks now before we tackle it for real.”
To sponsor the team, visit the webpage at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Welsh3000sChallengeTeam