The history of our challenge walks in words and pictures
Up to date financial details and other information about our fundraising activities
Annual financial details of the totals raised from our Walkers and Corporate Sponsors
Information about The Three Peaks Challenge Walk and the surrounding countryside
Information about The Chatsworth Challenge Walk, and the Chatsworth area.
Preparation, Hints & Tips
Handy tips and sound advice for tackling those demanding challenge walks
Some interesting features associated with our walks
Information about us and why we raise the sponsored funds
All the other bits we couldn’t fit in anywhere else
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chatsworthchallenge.com and threepeakschallenge.com are organisers of sponsored challenge walks to raise money for the Dave Owens and Frank Goodall Memorial Fund in support of nominated charities to fund cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
Total funds raised so far
£197,708.98
including... ThreePeaksChallenge
The four charities we currently represent. All of the money raised on our walks go to the four listed cancer charities to fund the research, prev-ention, and treatment of cancer.
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1. The 2003 Three Peaks Challenge Team on Pen-y-Ghent summit
Well nearly! Some of the pacesetters had become chilled and left the summit of Pen-y-ghent before the ‘stragglers’ seen above arrived at the peak, so this is about half of the group. The full cast in the above photo as viewed from left to right are :-
Stuart Sanderson, Wendy Lynskey, Pete Mackie, Stella Mitchell, Brian Hirst, Ann Mitchell, John Mitchell, Craig Fisher, Emma Fisher, Simon Alvy, Mick Scott, Andy Houghton, Stuart Worth, Margaret Lambourne, Tom Callaghan, Laura Callaghan, John Lambourne, Nicki Wilkes (hooded), Jonathan Wright, John Callaghan, Gerard Mitchell, Phil Callaghan, Mark Spittle, Shaun Hill
1. Pen-y-Ghent Summit.
The main party reached the summit of Pen-y-ghent at around 0700 hrs. Unfortunately, by this time the pacesetters chilled by the early morning wind were already on their way
strike this pose until taking the picture (honestly). Once tackled up again, we set off again for the first checkpoint. This proved to be a fairly unremarkable section of the walk until we stumbled upon a dead sheep sporting the worst case of knacker-neck seen around Selside in living memory. The sheep later proved to be a talking point. By the time the latter part of the walkers met the support team at the first checkpoint, talk was of the speed of the leading group. Louis Thompson, with size 11 boots on size 9 feet, was setting a blistering pace. Unfortunately at this point Shaun Hill and Mark Spittle had to drop out. Mark’s selection of walking attire was not the best. His nightclub shoes and Freddie Mercury pants caused chaffing which proved to be unbearable. However, they did re-join the event and tackle the final peak of Ingleborough.
to the next peak, so the opportunity of capturing a full team photo of the entire group was lost. After a brief stop to take in the odd Mars bar it was time to steel ourselves for the long trudge to the first check-in point in the lay-by near Ribblehead Viaduct. At Hull Pot crossroads support team members Emma Fisher, Ann Mitchell, Wendy Lynskey & Stella Mitchell cut along the Pennine Way back to Horton to meet Phil Lynskey and move the mini-buses to the first checkpoint, while the rest of the party headed off along the Miners Path to avoid the quagmire of Black Moss Dub.
2. An unscheduled stop at Gods Bridge.
Just time for an un-scheduled stop to take in a light snack (not light in Shaun Hill’s case) and make any necessary adjustments to clothing and boots etc. Tom Callaghan (orange shirt) can be seen dispensing sustenance to the Callaghan party from his food assortment picked up at the petrol station that same morning. Margaret Lambourne (bending over in centre picture) can be assured we did not wait for her to
Steve had parked his Yorkshire Building Services works van outside his neighbour’s house and Jim had been knocking on the wrong door.
Steve, as good as his word, did ‘walk the walk’ when he went on to complete his own three peaks challenge on a separate day.
As the buses left the gathering point at 04.00 hrs on the Saturday morning and headed off towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale some of the conversation centred on Steve Bainbridge who hadn’t responded to Jim Dawber hammering on his door at 0345 hrs, thereby missing his lift.
Having missed the bus the popular belief amongst the other walkers was that Steve could ‘talk the talk’ but not ‘walk the walk’. It was only at work on the following Monday morning that the truth of the story became apparent.
Steve on Ingleborough summit
2003 Walk : Three Peaks Challenge
chatsworthchallenge.com are organisers of fund raising challenge walks in support of the Dave Owens and Frank Goodall Memorial Fund to raise monies for nominated charities in support of cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
Page Acknowledgements
Text : Philip Lynskey : Gerard Mitchell
Images : Philip Lynskey
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3. Time to admire Force Gill Aqueduct and footbridge
Whernside: At 730 metres Whernside is the highest of the three peaks. Although a long slog, the ascent via Force Gill isn’t particularly difficult, unlike the severe descent which is guaranteed to get the knees cracking. Fine views over Dentdale and back down Ribblesdale to Pen-y-Ghent more than compensate for the energy spent.
3. Force Gill Aqueduct and footbridge.
At Force Gill there was time for a short break to admire the footbridge and aqueduct that crosses the Settle-Carlisle railway just before it enters the Bleamoor Tunnel. The aqueduct must be an impressive sight in wetter conditions.
4. Whernside summit.
Two down and one to go. With the sun shining it is evident in people’s faces that they are taking control of the walk. Strangely, Simon Alvy appeared to look a pound or two lighter than he did just before Ribblehead Viaduct. After taking on more water we were soon descending the severe gradient off the summit and on our way to meet the support team at the second checkpoint at the Old Hill Inn at Chapel-Le-Dale.
At the Old Hill Inn with the sun beating down it took a supreme effort to avoid taking a pint on board. It was here we realised that Louis Thompson’s earlier burst of pace had
taken a heavy toll. Halfway down Whernside, Craig Fisher had found Louis laid out at the side of the path claiming he could go no further. The blisters he had picked up on Pen-y-ghent were now sporting blisters of their own. Fortunately Craig was able to get him upright and guide him to the St Johns Ambulance tent, which was also on the Old Hill Inn car park. After a close inspection of both feet the only professional advice dispensed to Louis by the St. John’s Ambulance team was “Yeah, they’re going to really hurt in the morning”.
9. Closing time at the Fox and Hounds in Batley
5. The ‘Wall’. Time for a breather before the ascent
8. Finished! Time for a pint at the Crown Hotel
7. John Mitchell and Pete Mackie at Horton Station
Ingleborough 5. The Wall
We took a 5 minute breather before the ascent. The ‘Wall’ as it became known to us during our practice walks, is a 120 metre high section so steep that the path zigzags its way upwards. The knowledge that this is the last serious climb of the whole walk is the spur needed to get to the top.
6. Ingleborough summit.
With the third peak conquered the smiles are back on our faces again. (We would never have managed it without the help of a certain superhero). It was a gritty performance by John Lambourne considering the severe cramp attacks he had endured since Whernside summit.
With the sun still beating down and water running low it was time to start the long yet reasonably gentle descent back to Horton-In-Ribblesdale. Our party now became subdued. The conversation dropped off as exhaustion set in, and concentration centred
on putting one foot in front of the other to bring Horton closer. There was great relief when we reached Sulber crossroads and the signpost pointing to Horton indicating only 1½ miles to go. Unfortunately this sign is notorious amongst those who are familiar with the walk , who know that there is still some 2¼ to 2½ miles to go. (This doesn’t seem like an issue until you already have something like 23½ miles under your belt).
7. John and Pete at Horton Station.
Almost there! Crossing the Horton-In-Ribblesdale means the final checkpoint of The Crown Hotel is nearly in sight. Refurbished back in 1999 the station is regularly voted the best kept in the dales.
8. The Crown Hotel.
With most people back at the final checkpoint in Horton the walkers could enjoy a well-earned beer at the Crown Hotel. Louis Thompson quickly moved onto his second pint, having poured the first one over his blisters. Andy Firth was officially the first back at 14.15 hrs with Shaun Hardwick, Chris Creagan and John Macleod in close pursuit. Bringing up the rear was Laura and Tom Callaghan. Laura had no previous experience of walking this kind of
distance, and a fall coming off Ingleborough did not help her cause. With determination, and Tom or her Uncle John never more than a metre away from her side for the whole walk, they came home to a fine round of applause.
9. Closing Time at the Fox and Hounds.
After a couple of beers, at approximately 19.00 hrs we were back on the buses and heading back to continue the refreshments at the Fox and Hounds pub in Hanging Heaton, Batley. (GM)
From Our Charities - 2003
Comments from the Charity Organisations we support
Below are a collection of just some of the many kind comments we have received from the recipient charities we support through the Dave Owens and Frank Goodall Memorial Fund. The value of every participant’s work in raising monies for the fund can be readily seen in their thanks.
Our vision is to work towards a time when every person in the land has equal and ready access to the best information, treatment and care for cancer. With support from people like you and your friends we will be able to achieve this.
Michelle Norcliffe
Fundraising Support Assistant
Here at Marie Curie Cancer Care we are delighted that you wished to support our work, in particular our Research Institute
Brenda Doyle
Community Fundraiser
Oesophageal Patients Assc.
It is almost difficult to find the words to adequately express our appreciation of what you have done in raising £2,330 for the OPA.
David Kirby
Chairman
Map of the Three Peaks showing outline of the challenge walk (click to enlarge)
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(fund total raised to date after current walk year)
June 21st. 2003.
The first sponsored walk of the Dave Owens and Frank Goodall Memorial Fund.
In our preparations for the walk it had been planned to start the walk at 07.00 hrs to ensure we made an early impact on the
Corporate Sponsors (No / £)
Individual Walkers (No / £)
peaks. However it soon became apparent this was not a great idea when we found out that the British Heart Foundation, and their hundreds of walkers were due to start at exactly the same time, and on that understanding our start time was hurriedly amended to 06.00 hrs.
So, at 04.00 hrs, two hours before our ‘kick off’ and just as dawn was breaking, two full mini-buses driven by Gerard Mitchell and Phil Lynskey left the meeting point at Dewsbury Town
Hall. The destination was the car park at Horton-In-Ribblesdale where we would meet 25 other walkers who were making their own way to the starting point. What had set out as a hopeful 25 people had risen to over 50 by the start of the day. As the buses pulled onto the car park, with most of the other party already assembled, the general conversation centred on Steve Bainbridge who hadn’t responded to Jim Dawber hammering on his door at 03.45 hrs. Time was of the essence, and so the buses moved on and left Steve slumbering peacefully. (see side story)
For almost a century ten to twelve hours has been acknowledged as a reasonable time to complete the arduous 26 mile circular walk, and at 05.45 hrs the main party left the car park to conquer the first peak of Pen-y-Ghent. At this early point the entire Callaghan family party had managed to miss the first signpost and were already lost. Fortunately they had the presence of mind to assemble outside the Golden Lion Inn which was about to open some 6¼ hours later! Event Organiser Gerard Mitchell takes us through the day. (PL)
Some of the walkers stop for a quick photo-shoot
2. An unscheduled stop at Gods Bridge
