Challengers needed to take on 16-mile Leicestershire 3 Peaks to help people in need during the cost of living crisis

Leicester-based charity Charity Link – which provides essential items to local people in financial hardship – is looking for individuals, teams of family and friends and groups of work colleagues to take on its annual Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge.

Starting at Bawdon Lodge Farm in Nanpantan on Sunday 24^th September, Charity Link’s unique challenge takes in the peaks of Bardon Hill (Leicestershire’s highest point), Old John in Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill.  Challengers can try to beat the 16-mile course record of 2 hours eleven minutes or go around the route at a more leisurely pace with refreshment stops put on by the charity’s supporters and local businesses to enjoy.

Last year saw 120 people take part, raising £15,000.  Due to Charity Link’s unique way of working (untapping funds from charitable trusts) every £10 raised enables the charity to provide £50 of essential items. This means those taking part helped to provide £75,000 of items, including food, clothing, beds, cookers and fridges to local people in need.  The charity hopes even more people will lend their support this year as it works to meet the increase in need it has seen due to the cost of living crisis.

Susan McEniff, CEO of Charity Link says: “We are currently helping around 100 people a week, a third of which are children and young people, and we need the support of the local community to meet this massive need. Taking part in our Leicestershire 3 Peaks gives people a fantastic experience whilst doing something amazing for others. The funds raised will help to change the lives of local people struggling without the very basics in life that we all deserve, including enough food and a warm, safe place to sleep.

Those supporting this year’s Challenge include HCB Solicitors based on Bowling Green Street in the City centre and Aggregate Industries who are putting on a refreshment area to help Challengers refuel after they’ve tackled Bardon Hill.

Charity Link launched the Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge in 2016 and it has since raised over £69,000, in turn enabling the charity to distribute £345,000 worth of essential items to people in need across Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

Charity Link supports people of all ages and backgrounds who find themselves in financial hardship, including low-income families severely impacted by the cost of living crisis, people with a disability, chronic illness or mental health issue, the victims of domestic violence, vulnerable elderly people and carers.

To find out more and to register for the event visit www.charity-link.org/leics3peaks