FOUR members of staff from Camelford Leisure Centre recently took part in a 'Three Peaks' challenge.

Chris Clark, aged 19 a lifeguard and leisure assistant; Darren Squires, aged 28, a gym instructor; Helen Dower, aged 24, a gymnastics coach, and Jenna Commins, aged 22, a lifeguard, who all live in the Camelford area decided to do the 'Three Peaks' challenge to raise money for a charity.

The challenge was to scale Ben Nevis, Scafel Pyke and Snowdon in 24 hours. The group — who did the challenge with a nominated driver, Tom Mutton, who also works at the leisure centre — raised money for the charity Action Medical Research which researches all manner of medical conditions such as hip replacements to the polio vaccine.

For the group to carry out the challenge they had to raise a minimum of £2,000. Members of the team and local people helped contribute to the amount by doing different fund raising events.

This included placing collection boxes at Camelford and Wade­bridge Leisure Centres and holding fundraising car boot sales on three Saturdays at Camelford Leisure Centre. In addition, Darren staged circuit training classes, Sir James Smith's School held a non uniform day, Kernewek 'Stompers' line dancers and 'In2line' line dancers helped raise funds and all the Camelford public helped by sponsoring them.

Before taking part in the challenge, the group prepared by training hard and this included running up and down Roughtor and Brown Willy and the cliff paths of North Cornwall.

There were 26 teams altogether that took part in the challenge; the Camelford group otherwise known as the 'Camelford Climbers' were the last team to set off at 4.30 am and managed to do the 24 hour challenge in 23 hours and 56 minutes. The group came in 11th place.

Chris Clark said: "Apart from a few blisters and sore legs we were all ok just very tired afterwards."

In total well over £2,000 was raised which has now been sent off to Action Medical Research.

Chris added: "We were all really pleased to have done the challenge and would love to try another challenge soon."

Thanks have been extended to everyone who sponsored the 'Camelford Climbers' for their

challenge.