Emergency services sign up for Three Peaks Challenge

The British Red Cross is inviting emergency service personnel from across the country to a team bonding challenge of brains and brawn at one of the Red Cross's biggest events, Three Peaks Challenge.

Hundreds of walkers will climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales on Saturday September 4 and Sunday September 5 to help raise funds for vulnerable people. Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon are ready for the taking and the 24-hour event will challenge your navigational skills and put your legs to the test, whilst giving you and your team the chance to explore some of the most beautiful countryside Britain has to offer.

"Companies can use the event to inspire staff - bring colleagues together and set some friendly competition. Training for a challenge like this and raising funds for a great cause can all help team building and improve energy levels in the office." said Lucy Tambyraja, senior events officer for the British Red Cross.

Three Peaks Challenge teams raise vital funds to directly support the work of the British Red Cross in the UK and overseas. Each team of four is asked to raise £2,750 for the organisation, which is enough to train more than 250 members of the public in life-saving first aid skills. The 2009 challenge saw teams raise a collective total in excess of £60,000. These funds are extremely valuable to the Red Cross and could provide a new, specialised frontline ambulance including training for the driver and crew, or supply 600 family tents to provide shelter for displaced families fleeing disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti.

Jon Ward took part in the Challenge 2008. He said: 'My first Three Peaks Challenge was amazing! Despite my weary legs and a few blisters, I had great fun, and walking as a team gave me the support I needed to cross the finish line in under 24 hours. The fundraising side of the challenge was a good excuse to have fun and hold a couple of parties for friends and colleagues. We even managed to double our original target.''

The event will take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September. It will start at Ben Nevis, continue up Scafell Pike and finish with a well-earned celebratory party and prize giving at Snowdon on Sunday evening. To take part you will need a team of four or five walkers and two support crew to keep you well fed and to drive you between the mountains.

Sign up for the challenge or find out more by contacting Lucy Tambyraja at:
challenges@redcross.org.uk

or on 0844 412 2877 or visit:

www.redcross.org.uk/3Peaks