Our Parkeray Challenge Team recently travelled up North to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in support of Cancer Research UK.
A long day ahead
The day started early, with the team setting off just after 6am for Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the starting point of the challenge.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks route covers Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a single day, with more than 5,000ft of ascent along the way. It’s a demanding challenge, combining long distances, steep climbs and some tough terrain.
Clear skies and excellent visibility meant there were some fantastic views across the Yorkshire Dales throughout the day. However, the route itself offered plenty of challenges, from rocky paths and uneven ground to long stretches across open countryside.
As the miles added up, the walking inevitably became harder, but the team supported one another throughout the day.
After hours on the trail, the final climb was all that stood between the team and the finish line – with our leading group impressively completed all three peaks in just under 10 hours before returning to welcome the rest of the team back to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
An evening of celebration
After a long day on the fells, there were certainly some sore legs and tired feet, but more importantly a real sense of pride in what had been achieved.
Gathering for a three-course meal, the evening gave everyone an opportunity to catch up, share stories from the route and reflect on the day. There were plenty of step count chats and comparisons of sore legs.
A big thank you goes to James Maxwell for organising the evening’s entertainment. Special guest Finley Barrett-Carter, known from Britain’s Got Talent, performed a set featuring Elvis classics alongside a range of crowd favourites that quickly got people onto the dance floor.
Even after more than nine hours of walking, there was still plenty of energy left for the dance floor, bringing a memorable end to a fantastic weekend.
James Maxwell, Project Manager and co-organiser of the annual Parkeray Challenge, said:
Everyone started the day and ended the day with a smile, which was great to see. The walk is a really tough one-day effort and, luckily, we were blessed with some fantastic weather.
The money that was raised on behalf of Cancer Research UK was an amazing effort by all and will do so much good for so many.
The evening was a fitting conclusion to the weekend, celebrating not only the physical achievement of completing the challenge, but also the teamwork, camaraderie and fundraising efforts that made it so worthwhile.
Driven by support and generosity
Taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge was about more than completing a long-distance walk. It was an opportunity to come together as colleagues and raise money for a cause that means a great deal to many people across the Parkeray family, particularly following the loss of two much-loved former colleagues.
The support shown through donations, fundraising efforts and messages of encouragement helped make the challenge even more meaningful.
We’re incredibly proud of everyone who took part and grateful to everyone who supported the team along the way.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Billi for helping keep the team hydrated throughout the day with their insulated water bottles.
Parkeray’s Team Challenge
Each year, colleagues from across the business are invited to take part in Parkeray’s annual challenge event, which encourages participants to step outside their comfort zones while raising money for charity.
Head to our Charity Challenges Archives to see our Parkeray challenges over the years.
Coming soon…
Keep an eye out for our upcoming PKY TV episode, where we’ll be sharing even more highlights from the team’s unforgettable weekend in the Yorkshire Dales.