Rossendale business raises thousands for cancer charity

A team of 18 from the Rawtenstall business took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to fundraise for a cause close to their hearts.

Their efforts, completed in less than 12 hours, raised £4,300 for Bury charity Sam’s Gift, which supports teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Sam Hays, business development manager at the Hardman’s Mill-based business, admitted he hadn’t trained ahead of the day but said his favourite peak was Ingleborough, a steep climb and descent making it the most rewarding.

He said: “The climb up and down Ingleborough is relentless.

"As much as I loved it, this is where the lack of physical preparation really caught up with me!

"The climb batters your thighs and the descent back down is a killer on the knees.

“But there was a moment at the top where we were all stood in horizontal rain, posing for a picture on very aching legs and it was smiles all round – testament to how we all felt after reaching the summit of a particularly difficult climb.”

The group, aged 19 to 60, decided to take on the 24-mile challenge as a change from their usual social get-togethers.

Members of the team know the family who set up the charity, so the trek provided the perfect memorable occasion to do something good together. 

The expedition, with a total ascent of 1,585 metres, proved gruelling in parts for the 18 employees and family members taking part with tough weather conditions at the top of Ingleborough making visibility difficult.

On one occasion, the group deviated from the route slightly, but got back on track to make it around all three peaks – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – in around 11 hours.

Director Daniel Redfern, who enlisted the help of Helmshore business Abigail’s Trails to organise the day, had previously completed the Three Peaks, but enjoyed the new challenge of taking it on with employees.

He said: “There was one peak where we had a bit of a scramble at the end, which was fun, but the big moment was at the last summit where we unrolled our Sam’s Gift banner for a photo.

"It was a fantastic moment, knowing we’d done it together and raised money for such a good cause.”

The day, which ended with pie and peas at the Waggon and Horses in Hawkshaw, went so well the business is now considering making it an annual event.

Sam said the day had strengthened professional and personal relationships now they all had a shared experience. 

He continued: “The whole day, for me, was brilliant.

"The service Envirovue offers is structured to benefit the planet, so charity events like this line up well with what we offer as they give us an opportunity to contribute to good causes that make a real, tangible difference to people in need.”