Two separate “Three Peaks” challenges held in May and June raised a massive £262,045 for the Railway Children charity and their support for vulnerable children.

As well as the traditional Three Peaks challenge to climb the highest mountains in Wales, England, and Scotland in 24 hours, an additional Three Peaks challenge was added to climb the three highest peaks in Yorkshire.

In May, a record-breaking 138 supporters of the Railway Children charity put on their walking boots to climb Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, the three highest mountains in Yorkshire, in 24 hours.

On an unseasonably drizzly and chilly weekend in June, 171 more supporters climbed 3,560 feet to the top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales, 3,209 to the top of England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike, and the 4,413 feet to the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland.

Every pound of the money raised will bring hope and a future to children alone and at risk across India, Tanzania and the UK, such as children like 11-year-old Denis from Tanzania, who ran away after suffering abuse from his stepmother, only to face more danger on the streets.

Through the Railway Children charity, the charity’s family workers were able to support Denis and help him to become reunited with his mother, where he is now thriving.

Denis is just one example, but many more children are still waiting for help. It is those children that inspires participants to return every year to compete in, and hopefully complete, the Three Peaks challenges.

To organise an event such as the Three Peaks challenges, and the charity is grateful for the help and sponsorship of Angel Trains for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, and to Porterbrook for the Three Peaks by Rail challenge.

Other challenges to raise money for the Railway Children charity include:

• “TriLink Ride the Route, a three-day challenge to cycle the West Coast Main Line route from Glasgow to Manchester.
• “Railway Children Rail Trail” to walk the route of the London Underground Circle Line.
• “The Scotland Triple”, which involves cycling from Fort William to Loch Lochy, kayaking along the River Lochy, and conquering Ben Nevis.

Further information about the Railway Children charity and details about signing up for the challenges can be found at www.railwaychildren.org.uk/events

The charity benefitted from a 28-mile walk from Woking to Waterloo in May, and last year, funds were raised for a the charity with a walk along the route of London’s Metropolitan Line

Porterbrook is proud to continue sponsoring the Railway Children Three Peaks by Rail challenge,” said. t’s a tough event to complete, but those taking part always feel immense pride when they reach the peak of Ben Nevis, knowing their endurance and perseverance has helped the charity continue its mission to end street life for children everywhere.

Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook