A SKIPTON family challenged themselves to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise money for life saving heart research.

Nicola Stead, who now lives in Addingham, and her family and friends, from Skipton, raised a phenomenal £1,757 by challenging themselves to defeat the peaks to support the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

The challenge was in memory of Nicola’s dad, Andy Brown, a former manager of Skipton Bulldogs, who died suddenly in October, last year, aged just 62.

Nicola said: “It was so hot it was hard work to complete but we all managed the whole walk- we’re all burnt to crisps.

"We set out to do this as my lovely dad Andy Brown, from Skipton, very suddenly died last year leaving us all devastated.

"We thought if this money could save another family from what we’ve gone through, and then we’ve made a small positive out of our situation."

Nicola's mum, Adele Brown, set out to do just one of the three peaks, but valiantly ended up by doing all three.

The group took just under 12 hours to complete the challenge, and carried it out in the recent hot weather.

"We did the first two, and thought this is okay, what is all the fuss about, but the long walk to Penyghent, the last one, was a real struggle, " added Nicola.

She said: “We are delighted to have raised an incredible £1,757 which is three times my original target for the BHF’s life saving research. It was an amazing day, so thank you to everyone who made it a success.

Sue Green, BHF fundraising manager for Wharfedale, said: “We never cease to be amazed by the extraordinary ways people like Nicola fundraise for the BHF and we’re incredibly grateful to them for raising £1757."

For a fundraising pack with inspiration and tips to make your event a success, sign up for free by visiting www.bhf.org.uk/yourway.