FOR all those looking for a challenging day out in the Yorkshire Dales this month - the Cave Rescue Organisation has the perfect solution - and you'll be raising money for a good cause at the same time.

The CRO Ingleborough Challenge on Saturday, May 19 is centred on and around Ingleborough - the second highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Aimed at trail runners and hillwalkers of all abilities, there will be a choice between a 12 mile route, or a 26 marathon circuit.

Both will explore the area around Ingleborough, passing through spectacular limestone countryside, while the marathon route will take in the summit.

The circuits will be well-signed, with marshals at key checkpoints to help out if necessary.

The CRO mountain and cave rescue team has been covering the Yorkshire Three Peaks area since 1935. Its all volunteer team has assisted thousands of lost or injured walkers, runners, cavers, and climbers, and responds to up to a hundred incidents every year.

Pam Hickin, outgoing CRO chairman, said: “We’re increasingly busy and, like other mountain rescue teams, we rely on public support to cover our operating costs."

She added: "The CRO Ingleborough Challenge is a major fundraiser that helps us provide a vital service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’re very grateful to all of the runners and walkers that help us by participating.”

Some taking part in this year's event are doing it for more than just a great day out in the dales.

Mel Akeroyd of Saltaire Striders Running Club, is taking part in the challenge for the sixth time.

“On a snowy afternoon in February 2013 my sister and I were out walking over Penyghent when she took a fall near Hull Pot and damaged her ankle. We called 999 and CRO attended, sledging her to a Land Rover and then driving us down to a road ambulance in Horton."

She added: "CRO did a fantastic job – they not only got her down, they kept up our morale throughout the whole three hours of the rescue.”

Mel also nominated CRO for a charitable donation from Saltaire Striders in 2017.

Team member and event organiser Phil Nuttall said people ought to sign up quickly to be assured of a place. “This is an increasingly popular event, with more people coming every year. We’d encourage anyone who’d like to enter to sign up as soon as possible.”

To take part in the challenge, visit: cro.org.uk/challenge.