ESSEX: Dunmow friends ready for Three Peak Challenge

WHAT do a software account manager, photocopier engineer, construction project manager, catering account manager and a yachtmaster have in common?

They will all be part of an unlikely group of friends going the extra mile to raise money for a cancer charity.

Steve Collard, 41, his brother Nick, 37, Nick Perry, 39, Paul Braybrook, 34, Gary Buckland, 45 and Doug Romero, 30 all hail from Dunmow and, with the exception of Gary, went to school in the town.

Now the band of friends - who have called themselves Team Dourdan - will be taking on a tough test known as the Three Peak Challenge.

Spokesman for the group, Steve Collard, said: "We are quite an unlikely group to take on a challenge like this. Although Nick Perry has done three marathons, and I did one last year, we see ourselves as more pub-goers than mountain climbers.

"But we decided that we would like to do something that would challenge us and gives us something to get fit for.

"If we can raise some money for charity too, then that will be great."

The challenge is a test of total endurance which entails scaling the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales -Ben Nevis, Scaffell Pike and Snowdon - in 24 hours, including travelling time in between.

"I had heard of the three peaks a while ago through others doing it, and decided to research it," said Steve. "It's basically over 25 miles of hiking and climbing over 10,000ft. Then there is the drive in between each stop, which is about 450 miles, so it going to be quite a challenge."

The group are aiming to raise �5000 for the Antony Nolan trust. The charity raises money for people with leukaemia.

"Nick Perry's friends have a four-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with leukaemia so we have a connection with the charity."

To donate visit their website page at justgiving.com/teamdourdan or you could pledge by calling or texting Steve on 07764 212641.