By Martin Walker
A bunch of work colleagues from Newton Aycliffe are preparing themselves for one of their biggest-ever challenges this weekend!
Fifteen members of staff at housing charity ROCSOLID, based at Hope House in the Horndale area of the town, are attempting to complete the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, starting at 12noon on Saturday.
The Three Peaks Challenge is so called because it involves climbing the biggest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales.
But ROCSOLID’s ambitious plan is to complete it within 24 hours, meaning the brave hikers will have to:
● Scale 4,400 feet to the top of Ben Nevis, in the North-West of Scotland
● Drive 260 miles to the Lake District, before climbing 3,000 feet to the top of Scafell Pike
● Head 210 miles to Wales to take on Mount Snowdon, which peaks at 3,400 ft
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Several of the staff are Aycliffe residents, including Steve Cook, David James and Brian McAnaney, who are giving up their time to raise money to spend on treats for the young people they help care for.
“Their efforts are just unbelievable,” said ROCSOLID operations manager Mandy Shaw.
“They raised £6,000 last year by organising sponsored events but this year they really have excelled themselves – they’ve taken on an ambitious challenge and it’s all for the benefit of the youngsters, which is extremely commendable.”
All the money raised will go towards confidence-building activity breaks, some of whom have never been out of an urban environment.
ROCSOLID want to take them to rural outward bound centres so they can do team-building activities and learn important things about themselves by overcoming personal challenges.
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To learn more about ROCSOLID, visit their site www.reachoutcare.co.uk
