A GROUP of adventurers climbed the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland in just 24 hours to raise money for cancer support.

The team of employees from Benham Precision Engineering in Totton, climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scarfell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales all in one day.

Known as the National Three Peak Challenge, the group completed the climb in aid of Wessex Cancer Trust, raising £2,000.

Kevin Oborn, one of those who took part, said: “We allowed 10 hours for the driving, which left 14 hours to complete to three mountains.

“Many people in our group have been affected by cancer, in their families, loved ones, friends, colleagues, we all have been touched in some way.

“The Waterside Cancer Support Centre, funded by Wessex Cancer, have been available to support all people involved.

“Their support has been really appreciated by some members of our team so we really wanted to support their work and raise money for this cause.”

Speaking about the group’s decision to take on the gruelling challenge, Kevin continued: “It helped that two of us had done it before so we weren’t going into this totally blind.

“Over the last couple of months we have been hill climb training at St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester which really helped, as most of our group had never done anything like this before.

“All of the three mountains are difficult in their own right but battling through the driving wind and rain on Ben Nevis had to be the most punishing for all of us.

“Scarfell Pike was tough after the long drive down from Scotland to the Lake District but at least the weather was kind there.

“We finished at Snowdon on a beautiful summers evening which was great.”

He added that Benham Precision Engineering helped the team with the mini bus hire and fuel costs, as well as finding the driver Martin Ford who gave up his weekend to drive the 1,400 miles around the country.