A team from the IT department at Kingston University (KU) will climb three Yorkshire mountains in a single day for charity this weekend.

Twenty workers from KU's IT team will travel North to tackle the Three Peaks challenge in the Yorkshire Dales this Saturday (June 8) under the team name "Peaky Climbers".

On Tuesday (June 4) the Surrey Comet spoke to one of the team members leading the expedition — Applications Delivery Manager Steve Watson — about the upcoming adventure.

"It's something I did when I was much younger, about 15 years ago...The Yorkshire Three Peaks is 24 miles, a circular route all in one day, and I thought it would be a great challenge.

"It's beautiful up there. Unfortunately the weather forecast hasn't been brilliant but I've given them all a kit-list with waterproofs on!" he said.

The team are within striking distance of their fundraising target, with £4,177.50 of the £5,000 goal already raised, and hope to reach that total ahead of the walk.

They have picked three charities to support with their efforts:

  • Momentum Children's Charity — Founded at Kingston Hospital, for children with life-threatening illnesses
  • The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity — world-leading cancer centre
  • The Trussell Trust — a nationwide network of food banks, including Kingston and Epsom

Surrey Comet: Peaky Climbers bannerPeaky Climbers banner

All three causes were chosen for the connections to the local area as well as the excellent work and support they provide.

"We're really hoping to get over the (fundraising) line soon. We wanted to support local causes, at the university we've taken in food and raised support for the Trussel Trust before, for example, they do an amazing job," Mr Watson said.

To hit their fundraising total to support such worthwhile organizations, the pair have boosted their fundraising efforts with some practice walks to give them every chance of completing the demanding hike on Saturday as a team.

"A lot of them have youth on their side, which I haven't anymore," he joked.

"Everyone has been out walking on the Surrey Hills and the Downs...one of the training walks we've done ahead of Saturday was through Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common..."

As for the walk itself, Peaky Climbers are aiming to start and finish as early as possible, with an eye on the added incentive planned for the finish line.

"The plan is a 6am start, which raised a few eyebrows, but we're aiming to complete it in 12 hours and get back for some nice Yorkshire beer by around 6pm," Mr Watson said.

For more information about the team's chosen charities and to donate, go to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=KUITPeakyClimbers&isTeam=true