A TEAM of fundraisers have completed a gruelling Father’s Day weekend challenge in aid of a Reading charity.
Climbers from Chapter 2, which mentors for fatherless boys, overcame the Lake District’s 24 Peaks challenge on Saturday, June 18.
The effort saw the group cover over 30 miles and 3,200m in elevation.
“It was a great experience and the weather was good, which is always one of the most important things for something like this,” Chapter 2’s chair of trustees Dr Richard Kay said.
“We set off at 5.30am and most people finished. We had 26 people start and only five didn’t complete it. Everyone was down by 2am on Sunday morning.”
The group set off altogether, but split into four groups determined by speed.
“The first group just about finished in daylight at 10.30pm on Saturday night and the last group came in at 2.30am, which included two father and son combinations,” Dr Kay explained.
“Both the kids were 14-years-old, so it was great that they were able to finish the challenge.”
Coming into the weekend, the group would have feared the worst after Friday served up temperatures of up to 32 degrees celsius.
The team were thankfully treated to milder conditions on Saturday.
However, varying temperatures proved challenging as the climbers ascended the peaks.
“When we were at the bottom, it was pretty warm, but at the top, especially being on the peaks at nighttime, it was freezing, with 30mph winds coming from the north,” Dr Kay said.
“It was hard to know what the weather was going to do and we had to carry all our raingear, food and water.”
At the time of writing, the team have raised almost £40,000 through their donation site alone, with 25% gift aid and pledges still to be added.
The fundraisers appear well on their way to achieving their target of £50,000.
Money raised will allow Chapter 2 to hire a new team member, who is set to start in the summer.
The addition will help the charity continue to deliver long-term and consistent mentorship to the boys they serve.
One in two 15-year-old boys do not live with both parents, with the majority living with their mother.
To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/2424
