A GROUP of friends are set to take on the Three Peaks challenge next week in aid of charity.

Dave McDonald, from Accrington and Paul Cunningham from Burnley will set off with Dave Hursthouse from Sandbach on Friday, June 20 to take on the highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland.

Instead of taking the normal route, the two Daves will be covering the 450 miles on bikes, while Paul takes the role of support driver.

The group is aiming to raise £2,000 for the RNLI.

The challenge will see them climb Snowdon before cycling 112 miles along the Welsh coastline, through Liverpool, to the River Ribble in Preston.

The next day they will cycle to Scafell Pike in the Lake District, climb the mountain and then cycle through Keswick to Caldbeck, a journey of 102 miles altogether.

Sunday will see the pair cycle 140 miles into Scotland, to Loch Lomand, where they will continue on Monday with the last 96 miles on bikes to Ben Nevis and their final climb to the top of Britain’s highest mountain.

The three men have worked together at Express Gifts in Church for 12 years.

Dave McDonald, 44, who lives in Horsfall Close, said: “I’m really looking forward to it. We have been in training for a while now after deciding to take this one in February.

“The RNLI is a great charity and helped Dave Hursthouse when he was in trouble seven years ago.”

Dave was rescued by the Absersoch RNLI lifeboat crew after a sailing accident off the Welsh coast when he was struck in the face by the yacht’s boom.

He was knocked overboard, breaking his nose and leaving him concussed and struggling in the sea.

He said: “The RNLI volunteers were quick to come to my aid and I don’t think I’ll ever feel that debt has been repaid, so I take part in fundraising challenges to support them and say thank you to the charity.”

Paul, 35, from Worsthorne, said: “It’s a good chance to get out of the house and into the fresh air.

“I have done the Three Peaks before and my preparation has gone well.

“I’m looking forward to the beautiful scenery because they are amazing parts of the UK.”

For more information on the challenge, or to sponsor the group, visit: www.just giving.com/RNLI-3peaksBy Bike