A group of men have been labelled "mad" as they look to complete an incredible 24-hour challenge.
The group of friends from Southport are currently training to climb the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland all in the space of 24 hours. The men, all in their 40s, are asking people to help support their mission as they look to raise as much money for Queenscourt Hospice as possible.
Their commitment to completing the three peaks challenge has already resulted in just under £5,000 being raised. They estimate that it will take five to six hours to scale Ben Nevis in Scotland, five hours for Scafell Pike in England and four hours for Mount Snowdon in Wales.
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The lads will spend around 10 of the 24 hours driving. They are aiming to start the climb up Ben Nevis at 5.30pm on Friday, July 15 before conquering Scafell Pike and then quickly getting up and down Snowdon by 5.30pm on Saturday, July 16.
Team fundraiser Paul Blane said: “Do you want to join us in making a difference? Team Mad Men are raising money in aid of Queenscourt Hospice and every donation will help.
“Follow us as we aim to climb the three highest peaks of the UK in less than 24 hours. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.”
The backing from people in the community is already spurring the group on. Phil Parkes said: “Only 40% of people that take on this challenge ever complete it. Your donations will ensure we will be in that 40%!
“The idea to do this came from a good friend of mine, Paul Blane, the owner of a local Southport company, Care Business Associate Training. We both attend a local boot camp in Southport – Blast Men's Bootcamp.
“I joined in September last year and have now lost two stone. I wanted to join Paul Blane on this challenge to test my abilities.
“I am an ex-Royal Marine Commando, who over the years since I left, had let myself go a little. We have Mark Poole (owner) and Tom Iddon (coach) from Blast Bootcamp putting us under a gruelling training programme including diet planning to ensure we are ready to complete this highly physically demanding challenge.
“Around 60% of people that attempt this fail. We will not fail as we will be prepared. All of the lads attempting this challenge also attend Blast Mens Bootcamp. I didn’t know any of them before joining, but what a great bunch of blokes they all are.
“We have set a target of £5,000 which will all go to the Queenscourt Hospice. Since we launched the page we are already at £4,714! This is fantastic and we cannot thank the generous donors enough."
The Mad Men are raising money for a superb local charity - Queenscourt Hospice, which is based on Town Lane in Southport.
Paul Blane said: “Queenscourt Hospice ensures that life is for living for those with far-advanced and progressive terminal illness by providing symptom control and holistic care for patients and their families, along with educational support for their professional carers, to enable them to stay at home as far as possible.”
To read more or donate, click here.
