FOUR staff from a Highbridge company conquered the National Three Peaks Challenge and raised more than £3,000 for charity.

Shona Taylor, Nick Freear, Kudlip Bains and Caron Brooks, have all worked at Bakkavor Desserts in Highbridge for a number of years and wanted to undertake a challenge that would take them out of their comfort zone as well as raising funds for a local charity.

Over the space of 24 hours the team trekked up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon - the tallest peaks in Scotland, Wales and England respectively, and raised £3,600 for St Margaret's Hospice.

Speaking after the challenge, Caron Brooks, said: “One of the things that kept us going was knowing how much we had already raised for our two business charities; Nottinghamshire Mind and St Margaret’s Hospice, Somerset.

"Our target was to achieve £2,500 per charity.

"So far we have raised just over £4,000 for Nottinghamshire Mind and £3,600 for St Margaret’s Hospice.

"Bakkavor PLC have agreed to match fund pound for pound all of our funds raised.

"Our Grand Total for our challenge is therefore £8,000 for Notts Mind and £7,200 for St Margaret’s Hospice."

The team started the challenge at the foot of Ben Nevis and battled through high speed winds, driving rain and chilly winds to make it to the top.

They then scaled Scafell Pike in the dark using only head torches to light their way and still managed to muster enough energy to trek up Mount Snowdon.

The group said they were relieved to finish the challenge and they were rewarded with certificates and a cup of bubbly.

Terena Gill, community fundraiser for St Margaret’s Hospice, said: “This was a real challenge for the four who took part and we at St Margaret’s are so grateful for their endurance and for raising so much money.

"This will pay for a patient to stay at our Taunton hospice for 14 days, or it will pay for 72 visits by one of our specialised nurses to care for patients living at home in Sedgemoor.

"I would like to thank Nick, Kuldip, Caron and Shona for their part and to everyone who donated and to Bakkavor for generously match funding the £3,600”.