A FORMER rally driver is set to take on Yorkshire’s Three Peaks Challenge for charity along with a dozen family and friends.

The group, led by John Meadows, 59, will attempt to climb Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent in a day on September 20.

They will be joined by John’s wife, Susan, 59, and are aiming to raise money for The Grand’s Solomon Project which works with children in Africa and the Jigsaw Project which supports children in Clitheroe.

John, who retired in 1995, drove for five years for Vauxhall before joining Ford for a season and then moving on to Mitsubishi for another five years.

The father-of-three from Southfield Drive, West Bradford, said that he wanted to raise £340 which would feed 20 children for a year.

The former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School student said: “I’ve a great affinity with Kenya as I took part in five East African Safari World Championships Car Rallies, so I have spent many months in Africa.

“I’ve never walked anywhere near 24 miles previously, and because that’s something of a challenge I decided to use it as an opportunity to raise as much money the money for the charities.

“The Solomon Project works in partnership with Mary’s Meals, and provides meals for chronically hungry children in their local school.

“By using local produce and community volunteers they are able to feed one child in school for a whole year for just £17.

“That meal is the motivation to get children to go to school so they receive a good education, and think that’s an amazing cause.”

John, who runs Sagar Insurances in Accrington, also wants to raise money for the Jigsaw Project which was founded by Roger Dugdale from Clitheroe.

The charity supports the provision of specialist therapeutic counselling for the mental health and emotional well being of local children and their families who may be experiencing problems.

For more information on the challenge visit: www.justgiving.com/john-S-Meadows