Staff from a Lymington-based JB Associates smash 3 Peaks challenge and their fundraising goal

STAFF from a Lymington-based construction consultancy have smashed the 3 Peaks challenge as well as their fundraising goal.

The nine-strong team from JB Associates, ranging in age from early 20s to late 50s, scaled the highest points in Scotland, England and Wales, squeaking home in just under 24 hours.

They travelled the length of the country by train, plane and automobile to Fort William in Scotland for the challenge, which began at 5am at the base of Ben Nevis.

The walkers returned to the car park in four-and-a-half hours before the picturesque six-hour drive to the Lake District. The ascent of Scafell Pike started about 4.30pm, and the team were being back in the vehicles by 8pm.

A late-night five-hour drive to Snowdonia followed, after which the final peak, Yr Wyddfa, was scaled at 1am. With some of the support team trying to sleep in the vehicles, the climbing party returned to the car park in double quick time, completing the challenge in 23 hours and 39 minutes.

JB Associates founder and director, Julian Butler, said: “As a company, we like to complete an annual challenge for charity, and this was our biggest yet.

“I’m extremely proud of the determination, incredible achievement and commitment of the whole team who organised and arranged everything themselves – beating the 24-hour target was just the icing on the cake.”

The team smashed their original goal of £1,500, amassing £3,600 which will be split between Cancer Research UK and Motor Neurone Disease Association.