SUPPORTERS of Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue set off on one of three walks recently to raise vital funds for the Grassington based organisation. Lesley Tate reports.

MORE than 200 adults and children took part in Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association's annual Wharfedale Three Peaks Challenge.

Centred in Kettlewell, walkers and families set off on a choice of three walks - a challenging 22 mile walk of the three peaks Birks Fell, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside; a two peak, 13.5 mile walk of Buckden Pike and Great Whernside, and a gentle, four and a half mile valley walk along the Dalesway and Paradise paths.

Weather on the day was overcast, and much cooler than the previous weekend of soaring temperatures, but the rain stayed away.

A total of 114 men and women completed the three peaks walk, with first man, Ben Sheppard completing in 3 hrs, 29 minutes and 21 seconds - six minutes faster than last year's joint winners, David Ashby and Robert Shaw. He followed over the line by James Baron (3.41.20), and Andrew Pattinson (3.47.09). First woman to finish was Heather Tuffs in 3 hours, 49 minutes and 41 seconds, with Helen Price second (3.58.35) and Jann Smith, third (4.19.16).

In the two peaks event, completed by 76 people, first man across the finish was Paul Carman, in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 36 seconds; second was Chris Laycock (2.23.01), and third was Chris Clayton (2.24.32). First woman was Jennifer Garside, in 2 hours, 41 minutes, and 28 seconds; second was Fiona Hall (2.41.29), and in joint third place, Ruth Joyce and Barbara Savage (2.53.24).

The valley walk, completed by 25 people, saw Will Caygill the first man to finish, in 1 hour, 14 minutes and 25 seconds; followed by Harry Peace (1.14.26), and Noah Peace (1.14.30). First woman to finish was Ruby Garside in 1 hour, 37 minutes and 52 seconds; followed by Laura Garside (1.37.53), Janet Garside (1.38.29), and Carrie Garside (1.38.31).

The event,

The rescue organisation, which is based at The Hut, Grassington, is made up of more than 60 well trained and well equipped volunteer cavers, climbers and mountaineers.

It is the biggest fundraiser for the association following the demise of the Broughton Hall Game Show, which had been its major fundraising event for 33 years.