THREE friends from Barnoldswick have teamed up to tackle a gruelling physical challenge in an attempt to raise cash for a children’s charity.

Leon Dewhurst, Corey Roberts and Alan Davies will row the 10.5-mile length of Windermere in a canoe, cycle over the Hardknott and Wrynose passes covering some of the steepest roads in the UK, and finally run eight miles up and over Scafell Pike.

All of that has to be done in under 12 hours as part of the Great Lakeland challenge, on June 20.

Leon, who runs his own jewellery business in Barnoldswick, said: “We are all generally active people keen on walking, running, biking and general ‘get up and go’ sporting activities.

“We were all after a challenge this summer. I wanted to do this when I saw the challenge, as it was ideal for myself.

“The event takes place in the Lake District and ends by going over Scafell Pike, meaning there will be some amazing scenery along the way, and it will be a major achievement for all of us, especially with it being a team event, needing us to pull together to complete it.”

Leon will be joined in the challenge by Corey, who is in the Army and serves with the Scots Guards, based in Catterick, and Alan, who is a retained firefighter in Barnoldswick.

Leon said: “We will be raising money for Wooden Spoon, the children’s rugby charity, helping make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

“Wooden Spoon is one of the largest funders of respite and medical centres, sensory enhancement therapeutic facilities, specialist playgrounds, sports activity areas and community-based programmes throughout the UK.”

The group has already raised £1,000 for the charity. Anyone can donate by visiting www.virginmoney giving.com/team/team-tripod.