From left: Sharon Duquemin, Steve Hastie, Geoff Cowley and Jon Speight. Photo: Cottages4you

From left: Sharon Duquemin, Steve Hastie, Geoff Cowley and Jon Speight. Photo: Cottages4you

Workers who completed a challenge walk raised cash to help maintain the route they used.

Staff from Cottages4you and Hoseasons successfully walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks and provided a boost to the project that looks after paths in the area.

The Three Peaks Project benefited from the efforts of 25 staff who completed the 39km (24-mile) route over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in less than 12 hours. They were accompanied on part of the walk by ranger Josh Hull.

The challenge is used by many charities to raise cash, but the sheer numbers of walkers tackling the route causes problems for Yorkshire Dales national park staff.

The holiday lettings firms, part of Wyndham Vacation Rentals, handed over £1,391 from its workers to help the authority maintain the network of routes over the three hills.

Walk organisers Sharon Duquemin and Jon Speight joined Geoff Cowley, managing director of Wyndham Vacation Rentals, to present a cheque to Steve Hastie, the authority’s Three Peaks Project manager.

Mr Hastie said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Sharon, Jon and the team for a fantastic effort. Josh and I were happy to offer support on what proved to be an ideal day for doing the challenge.

“Most businesses recognise the value of the area but there’s only a handful that have stepped up to offer this level of help. We estimate about 50,000 people do the full Three Peaks Challenge each summer. If everyone gave a pound, the future of the paths would be guaranteed.”

Nick Rudge, Cottages4you managing director said: “Completing the Three Peaks Challenge is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our employees’ and our customers’ lives by improving the environment.

“The Three Peaks Project is important not only for people and the environment but also in terms of attracting local investment. We’re always delighted to have the opportunity to invest locally and share our passion for the Yorkshire Dales National Park with others. Well done to everyone involved, it definitely shouldn’t be described as a walk in the park.”

Nick Cotton, the National Park Authority’s member champion for recreation management, said: “The footpath network around the Three Peaks copes with around 100,000 visitors every year, which means there is always repair work to be done.

“We are always very grateful to businesses like Cottages4you and to individuals and organisations who help us by contributing money, materials or extra pairs of hands to help us keep the paths in tip top condition.”

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