A pair of physiotherapists from Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice put their fitness levels to the test when they took on the Welsh Three Peaks challenge raising money for the charity where they work caring for local families.

Sarah Sharp, from Tewkesbury, and Becky Harris, from Thornbury, swapped their physio uniforms and clinical shoes for sun hats, fleeces and hiking boots to climb up Pen Y Fan, Cadair Idris and Snowdon in one sunny weekend, driving themselves between each of the mountains.

Over 24 hours they scaled an estimated 4,600 metres and walked an estimated 36 miles between them and have so far raised £1,125 – doubling their fundraising initial target of £500.

Sarah said: “We got off to a flying start on Pen Y Fan, completing Peak 1 in half of our allotted time.

“Cadair Idris was magnificent but much more challenging and very hot and we finished Peak 2 very tired but in high spirits.

“After just a couple of hours’ sleep we started up Snowdon just before dawn with not much fuel in our tanks.

“This was by far the toughest climb for us and the combination of lack of sleep and tired legs made it a rather gruelling experience!

“However, we made it to the summit on time and triumphant before the final descent back to the café for a much needed cuppa and bacon butty.

“We are now back in work, a little weary and a little stiff but delighted to have raised £1,125 for the hospice so far.”

The pair were motivated to take on the challenge to help raise funds for the care they help deliver, supporting local people with life limiting conditions to live the fullest lives possible.

Becky added: “As a physiotherapist I help patients maintain their independence. We work with patients towards their own goals about what they would like to achieve, then we do all we can to help them do these things, living as full a life as possible.

“I love being part of an amazing team of people who work so hard together to make everything possible for patients and their families at such a difficult point in their lives.

“I see first-hand the importance of the work the hospice does and how heavily reliant this work is on fundraising and donations and I wanted to help contribute to this. That’s why Sarah and I decided to take on the Welsh Three Peaks.”

Debbie Williams, head of clinical services at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice said: “I am in absolute awe of Sarah and Becky taking on this challenge and fitting in so much training around their roles here at the hospice to help raise much needed funds for the very care they help give.

“The fact our staff are so passionate about the services they help deliver that they are motivated to take on gruelling fundraising challenges like this just goes to show what a very special team of people we have working here at the hospice. We are very grateful and proud of them all.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarahsharp-beckyharris18
to sponsor Sarah and Becky.