Teams have been training hard for the event which takes place later this month

13 June 2008

More than 40 members of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service are set to climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales against the clock – and all for charity.

The Three Peaks Challenge, organised annually by The Fire Fighters Charity and the Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association, is the biggest sporting event in the fire service calendar.

The concept is simple - climb Scafell Pike (978m), Ben Nevis (1,344m) and Snowdon within 24 hours and raise as much money as possible!

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has six teams entering, comprising both firefighters and support staff. Team members come from Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Bletchley, Broughton and Great Holm Fire Stations and the organisation’s two offices in Aylesbury.

The first three teams are taking part on Sunday and Monday next week (22 and 23 June) and the second three on Thursday and Friday (26 and 27 June).

All are hoping to complete the challenge within the allotted time and have been training hard to prepare themselves for this test of endurance. Teams are paying their own expenses, so all the money raised will go direct to charity.

Chief Fire Officer Damian Smith said: “I would like to wish all the team members a safe competition, a minimum of blisters and an enjoyable experience.”

The Fire Fighters Charity provides assistance to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants. Participants are also supporting a number of other charities, including Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust and Mountain Rescue.

If you would like to sponsor the teams, please contact Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service on info@bucksfire.gov.uk