FORMER Evesham school pupils are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge this weekend to raise money for two local charities.
The group, who all attended Prince Henry’s High School, will be scaling the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland in just 24 hours in aid of Evesham and District Mental Health Support Services (EDMHSS) and Caring Hands.
Starting at 5pm today (Friday) at Ben Nevis, the team will then head to Scafell Pike in the Lake District before completing the challenge at Eryri (Snowdon) on Saturday evening.
The team – which consists of Alice Usher, Ben Harvey, Josh Caddy, Callum Stubbs, Chris Macaulay and Faye Tomkotowicz, all aged 28 – has been training for the challenge for the past six months.
Alice said: “It’s been 10 years since we left Prince Henry’s and we wanted to do something together to support our home town. We’re all outdoorsy people who love to hike so the Three Peaks Challenge was the obvious choice for us.
“We’re proud to be raising money for two charities doing such great work in and around the Vale of Evesham for mental health services, dementia care and community support for those hit hardest.”
Since the pandemic and cost of living crisis, charities have been under more strain to provide for those in need.
Diane Bennett became a community worker in 2003, before setting up Caring Hands in 2005 in response to the demand for poverty relief in the area.
She said: “We are absolutely delighted that Caring Hands in the Vale is being supported by the team undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge.
“The demand on our services continues to increase rapidly and the funds raised will support our food and resource banks.
“This year marks our 20th anniversary and referrals for our support are at an all-time high. Our services are really stretched, so fundraising and support from the community is vital to us being able to sustain the level of support we are able to provide.
“Our thanks to the team and we hope all goes well.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/team/teamasparagustown for more.
