Ely man to tackle Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Highfield Academy

Gareth Booth said he was so impressed with the care and development provided by the Ely-based special needs school to a friend’s child that he has chosen Highfield as his charity.

Gareth, who has so far raised £120 of his £1,000 target, said: “I’ll be undertaking the challenge on Saturday August 12, starting off at 7am. I will be taking letters and pictures of support from the Highfield Learners to inspire me to achieve this challenge within the target time.

“The challenge is to complete the full 25 miles across differing, unforgiving terrain in 12 hours. The weather is very unpredictable,” he added.

“It is possible to sample all four seasons in one day. It is quite possible to have glorious sunshine and be very hot at the base of a peak, get to the top and it be cold and raining.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge includes 25 miles of hill-walking, taking in the three highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Pen-Y-Ghent at 694 metres of ascent, Whernside at 736 metres and Ingleborough at 723 metres.

Gareth aims to complete 1585 metres (5200 ft) of ascent on a route that consists of stone and gravel track with some rocky sections and uneven ground.

Maz Baker, income generator at Highfield, said: “We are delighted that Gareth has chosen to raise funds for the school and in such an inspirational way. We have a small team of committed fundraisers, Team Highfield, that have been undertaking physical feats to raise funds to benefit our learners and we welcome Gareth into the team.”

Gareth will be fundraising to install a new i-board within the school.

Ros Grooms, chairman of the Highfield Friends and Parents Association, said: “It is great that Gareth is undertaking such a personal challenge to raise funds for our school. i-boards are central to Highfield’s pupils’ learning and bring new accessible interactive technology to the classroom.”

To sponsor Gareth donate online via: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GarethBooth