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I decided to participate in this event for two main reasons. The first being that UWFRA is only funded by donations and they are an institution that we could not do without. They operate 24/7, 365 days a year and in all weather conditions. Their dedication is unquestionable. So much funding has been missed during the pandemic; normal fund raising events have had to be cancelled because of Covid and the increase in card payments have meant customers, particularly in public houses or where donation boxes are located, do not have ready cash they would often donate upon receiving change from the till. Although the callouts for rescuing humans has fallen due to less footfall in the area, UWFRA don't only rescue humans. They rescue animals as well; it was only last week (23rd Feb 22) that they rescued two pet dogs that had fallen down a hole in Guisecliff, Nidderdale and 20th Feb 22 that my wife and I passed them in flooded Kilnsey where they rescued sheep after the Wharfe had burst its banks. You can find these rescues and many others at this address: https://uwfra.org.uk/incidents.php?year=2021

The second is it's a challenge similar to the more well known Yorkshire 3 Peaks, that I have completed a number of times, but on much less trodden paths. 

I have added an OS map of the route in the photo gallery on this page and a number of relevant photographs taken over recent years in areas along the route I've visited in the past. The route starts and finishes in the village of Kettlewell and is approximately 20 miles long. The main landmarks along the route are: Old Cote Moor Top, Birks Fell, Birks Tarn, Horse Head, Yockenthwaite, Scar House, Cray, Buckden Pike, Polish War Memorial, Tor Mere Top, Black Dike, Great Whernside & Hag Dike.

Me, my wife, Margaret, and our Bedlington Terrier, Beau, have successfully completed many walks on different types of terrain from flat river, road, and canal walks to high peaks in all kinds of weather throughout the year. We have never required the help of mountain rescuers but we know people who have and we also know how valuable the work they do is to the public. I do recall contacting Wasdale Mountain Rescue, nearly 10 years ago now, when we were descending Scafell towards Slight Side; the weather had been really nice for mid-November but it closed in very fast and my compass fell apart in my hands. The snow came down so thick and fast but cleared almost as quickly as it had come and we could see our way off the hill safely without assistance.