THREE Winchester women took on a mountainous challenge to raise money for their kids’ primary school.
Helen Fisher, Marie Claire O’Kane and Izzie Felstead began the National Three Peaks Challenge on one of the hottest days of the year, fundraising for a new climbing wall at All Saints Church of England Primary School in Highcliffe.
Starting in Scotland at Ben Nevis, which at 1,344m is the tallest of the three peaks. Marie Claire had to withdraw from the challenge during the first mountain but she remained with the team as they moved south from Ben Nevis, driving to the Lake District where, due to stormy weather conditions they diverted to climb Whernside in Yorkshire.
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Finally, the trio travelled through the night to Snowdon in Wales, which is 1,085m tall, finishing the three peaks within 24 hours and raising £2,130 for All Saints School.
Helen Fisher said: “We have been training for months to take on this challenge but nothing could prepare us for how physically and emotionally demanding it was. We were part of a fabulous team of 23 who all supported each other to reach the top.
“We also had regular messages of support before and during the challenge from the children, staff and parents so we knew everyone was behind us and willing us on. It was an incredible experience - the views at the top of each peak were out of this world.”
To get behind the mountain mums, All Saints PTA encouraged the children to tackle the three peaks of Winchester - St Catherine’s Hill, Oram’s Arbor and St Giles Hill over May half-term.
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Some kids were away on holiday during the break but that didn’t stop them from joining in and finding peaks as far away as Spain to conquer.
All Saints pupil Seby conquered the Winchester peaks. He said: “It was lots of fun and great to share it with so many other friends. I also discovered some new places in Winchester. We walked more than 10k and my favourite bit was reaching the summit of St Catherine's Hill as it was the most challenging so I felt a great sense of achievement.”
Headteacher Jane Hall said: “We are so very proud of our parents and children for taking on these challenges. It’s so positive to see our community coming together, supporting one another, pushing themselves and achieving so much.”
The money raised will help purchase a climbing wall for the playground so that the children can enjoy their own adventures for years to come.
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