WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going.

That was the message from Peter Jackson, the health and safety manager at Bromsgrove-based Foster Care Associates when he led a party of staff on the Three Peaks Challenge.

Peter got 35 of his colleagues to take part in a version of the famous challenge over last weekend. The adventurers climbed Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.

Peter and his team were delighted to have succeeded in their quest, which was held to highlight the importance of fostering.

The challenge requires those taking part to complete all three mountains within 24 hours. However, the FCA teams are novice climbers and so they tackled one mountain per day.

Peter, who is based at the association's head office in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, said: "The idea stemmed from a competition at my local gym. They organised an adaptation of the Three Peaks Challenge using gym equipment, which I took part in and went on to win. It was great fun, so I decided to look into doing the actual challenge, along with my colleagues.

"The whole team worked extremely hard over the weekend and we are all pleased that we completed this challenge."

The participants had been walking ten miles, twice a week over the last three months in preparation for their hike. Peter and some of his colleagues had also climbed the Malvern Hills and Snowdon to increase their fitness levels.

"Everyone put one hundred per cent effort into training for this challenge," added Peter.

"The aim of this exercise was to hopefully increase the awareness of fostering to the public, as there is currently a shortage of approximately 10,000 foster carers across the UK. By completing our task and with Foster Care Fortnight beginning on Monday, FCA is hoping to recruit more carers across the country."

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer should contact FCA on Freephone 0800 085 2225 or visit the website at www.thefca.co.uk