A GROUP of Crediton firefighters completed a mountain endurance challenge and earned themselves a bronze medal.

Neil Hargreaves, Mark Ludgate, Fran Phillips, Charlie Pennington, Reg Barker, Les German and Rob Lane climbed the highest peaks at each of Great Britain's three countries.

They did so in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Fire Service Three Peaks Challenge involves the three peaks of Ben Nevis in Scotland, (which rises up to 1344m and is the highest peak in the UK), Scafell Pike in the Lake District, England (which is 978m high) and lastly, Snowdon, in Wales, which is 1085m high.

The team consisted of walkers and drivers and the challenge began at the foot of Ben Nevis.

They then had to descend Ben Nevis before reaching their team minibus and driving to Scafell Pike, where they climbed England's highest mountain.

Next it was a drive to Wales to climb Snowdon, where the challenge finished.

The team completed the challenge in a bronze medal time of 22 hours, 20 minutes.

The challenge aim was to complete the three climbs and all the driving within 24 hours.

The team walked more than 20 miles, climbed more than 10,000 feet and drove more than 500 miles.

Les German, one of those who took part, said that the group arrived at the base camp at Ben Nevis in Scotland at 8.30pm and the next day was filled with safety briefs and kit checks until 5.32pm when they began their ascent.

They had a rousing send-off from a lone piper and the pace was set, the group even overtaking a few teams as they also took part.

Shortly after reaching the cloud base, after three gruelling hours, they reached the snow covered top.

They were greeted by marshals and after a short stop for snacks, photos and pats on the back all round began the descent, putting strain on a whole set of different muscles and joints.

Les explained: "Two short hours later, with no time to waste, we climbed aboard the minibus for an overnight trip to the lake district and Scafell Pike. It's smaller, must be easier we kidded ourselves.

"Five and a half hours later we reached Wasdale Head, our staging post for our attack on The Pike.

"The weather was holding off and once again we raised our eyes upwards to seek out our goal but the clouds were low and the Peak lay hidden beyond another rise. The terrain was punctuated with small waterfalls due to the recent rainfall, climbing beside one of these we soon saw our challenge rising ruggedly, covered in large scree falls that masked any noticeable pathways.

"Passing teams on either the ascendancy or the descent, good cheer and encouragement were plentiful but more noticeable were the individual challenges going on etched and ingrained on competitors' faces.

"We reached the summit in two and a half hours and after the usual photo shoots and time checks we scrambled back towards our awaiting buses, four hours passed and we were Snowdon bound."

Five hours later the group disembarked to start the Snowdon ascent.

Les continued: "A steady pace was achieved and time was taken to experience the sheer majestic views and wonder of our surroundings.

"We chatted with other climbers and a sense of achievement was filtering through the team, bonding us together and fuelling our aching limbs for the final push to the top.

"A steep ascent to join the rail path was soon upon us and some of the team thought a shortcut was the order of the day, this wasn't the case.

"With the finish in sight all pains were flushed away, replaced by congratulations and back-slaps of a job well done.

"We had time to enjoy the view and a well deserved drink before dragging our weary bodies three hours back down the mountain for a shower and a evening of presentations.

"The team of walkers and drivers achieved a great time of 22 hours and 20 minutes, well within the target time of 24 hours."

The group expressed thanks to the sponsors for their donations and to their families for their support.

Alan Quick