Staff prepare to take on gruelling Three Peaks Challenge for charity

A group of employees at P&A Group will take on the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge this month in aid of Dementia UK.

14 members of staff from the organisation, based in Mold, will travel from North Wales to Ben Nevis in Scotland on 30 June with the aim of reaching the summit that evening.

They will then proceed to Scafell Pike in the Lake District before finishing up at Snowdon in Wales on Saturday 1 July.

The aim is to successfully complete all three peaks in less than 24 hours.

Described as a ‘bucket list’ challenge and team building exercise, the fearless 14 will be hiking a distance of approximately 23 miles with a total ascent of 3,064 metres, with the aim of raising £6,000 in sponsorship for Dementia UK.

The charity has specialist dementia nurses – known as Admiral Nurses – who provide support and develop life-changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Admiral Nurses help families manage complex needs – considering the person living with dementia and the people around them – and they can advise other healthcare professionals.

They also help people living with dementia to stay independent for longer, and support the people caring for them so they have the strength to cope with the bad days, and the energy to enjoy the good days.

Andrew Baker, Finance Director at the P&A Group and one of the plucky 14 taking on the challenge commented: “With 11,178 feet of elevation and sleep deprivation will be a tough test.

“We are doing this to raise much needed funds for Dementia UK.

“This charity provides support to people suffering with Dementia and their families. Our aim is to put more Admiral Nurses into communities and, by supporting this charity, we can help make this happen.”

The 14 employees who have signed up for the event are: Iwan Gwyn, Andrew Baker, Adam Rose, Thomas Jones, Louise Artess, Jamie Hulse, Mark Stewart, Steve Gibson, Nathan Thornton, Gavin Prior, Patrick Davey, Ben Morgan, Jay Kelly and Jamie Walton.

They will be supported by Fiona Black. Cristina Franco and Daniel Carrington will be driving the minibus so the walkers can rest between each mountain.

Iwan Gwyn, Woodworks Garden Centre Manager and challenge team member said: “We have all been training very hard over these past few months and, collectively, we hope to raise as much money as possible for Dementia UK.

“It will be hard going but everyone is really looking forward to the challenge and the breathtaking scenery that we’ll see along the way.”

Over the last 12 years, employees of the P&A Group have raised almost £145,000 for charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Meningitis Now.