The challenging 24 mile circular route in the Yorkshire Dales includes the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and was undertaken to raise money for Footprints Conductive Education Centre. Footprints is a local charity that supports children with mobility and communication difficulties and their families.
The tough challenge walk was undertaken by Abi Hague (Ward Manager, Cygnet Hospital Sherwood), Jonny Billing (Staff Nurse, Cygnet Views), Antony Carroll (Support Worker, Cygnet Views) and Daisy Richardson (Bank Support Worker, Cygnet Views). For the first half of the walk they were also joined by two of their dogs, Richmond and Denise.
They were aided by a support team who met them at various points on the walk to provide much needed refreshment and encouragement. The support team included Levi Kestle (Staff Nurse, Cygnet Views), Alison Dillingham (Activity Coordinator, Cygnet Views) and Melissa Fox (Team Leader, Cygnet Views). Melissa’s son has Down Syndrome and has been supported by Footprints for over a year.
The team had an early start at Horton-in-Ribblesdale where the initial section of the route heads for Pen-y-Ghent, the first peak of the day. There was a mixture of nerves and excitement at the beginning of the walk.
Abi explains: “I felt nervous at the beginning of the walk, as I realised that the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a huge challenge and was worried I wouldn’t be fit enough and had not prepared enough. I thought though that regardless of how much training I had done I would likely have always felt underprepared and took a lot of encouragement from how optimistic the rest of the team were. Everyone else was so full of confidence that it quickly put my nerves aside!”
For Jonny the climb up Pen-y-Ghent was one of the highlights of the walk, “Walking up the first path felt great, there wasn’t anything else to do but crack on and see what the day held. It was early in the morning and the quickest climb.”
After successfully conquering Pen-y-Ghent there was then a long walk up the valley to the next objective, Whernside. For some in the group the flatter sections in between each of the hills was the most enjoyable aspect of the walk.
Daisy, said: “I enjoyed the flat parts in between the inclines. At these points we were able to chat and get to know each other more. We had some really funny moments. We also had our colleagues waiting for us a different check points. Seeing them in the distance was such a nice feeling, knowing we could get some moral support and refreshments.”
After meeting the support team at Ribblehead and dropping off Richmond and Denise for a well-earned rest they next had to climb Whernside, the highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales.
For Antony this was the toughest part of the walk, “It was mentally draining because the path appeared to just keep going and going with no end in sight.”
Abi agreed: “The climb felt like it went on forever – we would get to what we thought was the top, turn a corner and realise that the top was still a long way off! This happened on a few occasions and it felt soul destroying each time, to think you’re there and realise you’re not!”
Having finally reached the top of Whernside the team next had to climb Ingleborough. By this point their exertions was beginning to exact a physical toll on the walkers.
Daisy said: “I had blisters all over both of my feet by this point and was in so much pain. The physical strain the climb took on me, as well as the pain from my feet, was really difficult. I remember at one point, my legs just stopped working and I had to lift my legs up onto the next step!”
Supporting and encouraging each other the four successfully reached the top of Ingleborough.
Abi said: “Summiting Ingleborough was one of my walk highlights! By that point, there was only one way back down and whatever happened from there, we knew we had completed the challenge, which was an amazing feeling after having self-doubted. If only we knew that the walk back down to the car park was another challenge in itself!”
Finally, after over 12 hours of walking the team finally made it back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, very tired but happy.
Jonny said: “I felt proud that we’d got through it all together and it was lovely to see the relief and smiles on everyone’s faces and the supportive messages from colleagues who hadn’t been able to make it in person. It was also nice knowing that we’d helped to raise money for a great cause which will hopefully continue to make a difference locally.”
The efforts of the support team were hugely appreciated. Abi said: “We had huge support from our colleagues who didn’t walk – they gave up their day to just be there for us, to drive around, make us drinks, give us snacks. Their support was such a lovely thing to have and really helped.”
Antony agreed: “We had a great support network and the coffee waiting at the end was massively appreciated. I think it was something I wouldn’t have been able to complete on my own and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to be involved in.”
The walk was the latest fundraising effort by the team at Cygnet Views and other Cygnet colleagues from the East Midlands who, throughout 2024 have been raising money for Footprints Conductive Education Centre.
Other fundraising events that the team have organised this year include raffles, a Bake Off, and even a skydive.
Their Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge has so far raised £754.20, which takes their total funds raised throughout 2024 to £5183.22.
To make a donation please visit the team’s fundraising page on Just Giving.