Aiming high for hospice

Richard Smith, Tom Jennings and Tom Mason who work at Sainsbury's are taking part in the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, which will see the team attempt to climb Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scaffell Pike in less than 24 hours.

The men are doing the series of climbs on Saturday and Sunday to raise money for Kemp Hospice, which recently moved to new premises in Mason Road, Kidderminster.

Team Leader, Mr Smith, explaining his reasons for choosing the charity, said: "We decided on Kemp Hospice because, sadly, my girlfriend's grandmother has recently passed away and she always liked the charity."

The climb is the latest challenge that the team is doing after successfully raising money for charity on a 50-mile cycle ride.

The difficult task will be even harder for the trio, considering none of them have any climbing experience. Mr Smith said: "We haven't got any experience in this sort of thing. We have been training in the gym on treadmills trying to get used to what the climbing will be like."

The climbers will be helped by drivers, Hayden White and Hayden Hewitt, who will be trying to ensure that the transport around the country runs smoothly.

The team has been supported by Kidderminster's Arriva vehicle rentals, which is providing one of its minibuses free of charge and by Sainsbury's and Sainsbury's Bank, which will pay for all the fuel costs.

Kemp Hospice chief executive, Mike Rowan, commended the climbers' efforts.

He said: "Competing in the Three Peaks Challenge will be a great personal and rewarding experience and, more importantly, the efforts of these guys will help Kemp Hospice to support the patients and their families who face daily challenges at this time in their lives.

"Every step the team will take will be a step forward for someone at Kemp."

Sponsorship donations can be made at the customer service desk at Sainsbury's in Kidderminster.