Financial Planners at Berry & Oak scaled new heights to raise money for charity.

Sarah and Andrew Elson, founders of the West Yorks Chartered Financial Planning firm, and other members of the team hiked the Yorkshire Three Peaks to raise money for the local St Gemma’s Hospice.
 
They completed the feat despite a yellow weather warning, constant rain and 70 to 80 mph winds.

So far they have raised in excess of £3,000.

Mrs Elson told Financial Planning Today: “We set off in darkness at 6.40am, all wearing headtorches and headed up to Pen-Y-gent which was our first, wet and windy summit.

“We then had a very long walk across a broad grassy plain to the next one, Whernside.

“This path was very boggy and very muddy, and we had some good fun leaping over the streams that were running over the footpath.

“We could see, the amazing Ribblehead Viaduct coming into view and Andrew’s dad (with Alfie the dog) waiting at the car with some dry socks and a hot cup of tea for us.

The summit of Whernside was next and we were faced with a long 3km ridge, with 70-80mph winds before we took on the very steep and slippery descent into Chapel-le-Dale.

Ingleborough was last – and certainly not least.

“Andrew nearly got blown the footpath at one point off into a huge area of flooding, which gives you an idea how bad the wind was.  

“We finally took the short steep climb which took us onto the summit ridge and the summit itself is a huge plateau.”

She added: “The last two miles felt like they just went on and on and we were so relieved when we eventually crossed the train track into Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

“Even with all of the rain, winds and very wet and blistered feet, the experience was so worthwhile having done it for such a great cause.”
 
To donate to the hospice visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/BerryAndOak