A TEAM of hikers from the Chippenham sports clinic Active Potential Therapy have just completed the Three Peaks Challenge, raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The group visited the Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) operations centre in Devizes on Thursday (September 1) to present a cheque for £2,000, which they raised from completing the Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours.

Samantha Cox, owner of Active Potential Therapy, said: “In October 2015 we competed in the local Monster Race, a 6.5km muddy obstacle course, raising just over £1,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. I felt we needed to raise the bar, and find a new challenge that would push boundaries. The National Three Peaks was definitely that challenge with its unique elements of mental and physical endurance, tolerance of heights, and teamwork required to succeed.”

The challenge saw the team of eight climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales- Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden, within 24 hours from June 4-5. Covering a total distance of just under 31 miles in 10 hours, the hikers travelled 1,283 miles between the peaks.

Kenresa Stratford, fundraising co-ordinator for WAA, said: “We’re so thankful to Active Potential Therapy for undertaking the task of completing the Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours. It costs £3.25million a year to keep our life saving service flying and we cannot thank them enough for their support from this challenge and raising the incredible amount of £2,000.”

Most of the team tackled the challenge with little experience in similar activities and, despite being fit and healthy, found it difficult due to the intensity of the walks and lack of sleep.

“As a company which supports fitness and wellbeing, it seemed appropriate that we do something like this. I really can’t thank everyone enough- from the team for making it a success, and for all those who sent in donations and messages of support before and during the challenge,” added Mrs Cox.