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For the last six or seven years a group of police officers and friends have taken part in an annual daunting challenge that is the Yorkshire Three Peaks hike, a 26 ¼ mile endurance hike that has to be completed in under 12 hours to allow you the bragging rights of being a true “three peaker.” 

The route starts traditionally from Horton In Ribblesdale taking in Pen-Y-Ghent(694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres), a total ascent of 5200 feet. We have started from different points over the years, but will be doing the traditional anti-clockwise route this year, staring with P-Y-G, then the long slog across to Whernside with it's torturous descent, then across the valley to Ingleborough before dropping down back in Horton for tea, toast and medals. (Well, beer, steak and handshakes at least)

As a group, and as individuals we have conquered each of those Peaks singly or as the complete hike in varying weather conditions and at various times of the year, including a heat wave in July, torrential rain in September and even a blizzard in December. We generally finish around the 10 ½ hour mark, no small achievement for a group that includes hikers ranging in age from their early twenties and in peak fitness, to those rapidly approaching or into their fifties with many war wounds to hinder their progress.

This year, despite best laid plans to complete the challenge as usual in the Summer, a series of setbacks, events and conflicting shifts means we now scheduled for 19^th November, with the strong likelihood
of inclement weather to add to the fun.

So, why am I doing the charity thing this year? Normally we hike those hills just because they are there, and because we can. Well, here's the story. Last September I had the misfortune to break my leg and tear the ligaments resulting in me spending over 4 months in a wheelchair and on crutches. I was then most fortunate to secure a fortnights stay at the Police Treatment Centre at Castlebrae, Auchterarder The wonderful treatment and physiotherapy ensured that not only I was I able to return to work fully fit in April this year, but that 10 days later I passed the annual fitness test whilst watching others struggle with the shuttle run. Had I relied on the NHS physio I have no doubt that I would still be walking with a limp now, as they had poor resources and badly trained staff who didn’t seem to understand the injury, or how best to treat it! I therefore feel indebted to the Police Treatment Centre and its staff who saw me back to fitness and achieved more in ten days than the NHS did in 20 weeks. I am pleased to say that I have probably 95% mobility of my ankle recovered, with only a trace of a limp, whilst the NHS said I might never be able to run again and would always have a limp. 

 My aim then is to raise some cash for the Police Treatment Centres to continue their good work for other officers and police staff.

The average cost of a 14 day stay and treatments for an in-patient is in the region of £3000. The centres are funded purely by subscriptions from police officers, fund raising and charitable donations. The government don’t contribute and neither do individual forces despite them benefiting in terms of earlier return to work dates of the officers who receive treatment. The value in terms of officer well being though
is immense. I can personally say that my 26 years worth of contributions were well spent. (It works out at just £1.95 a week, less than a pint of beer, so if you are a police officer and you don’t subscribe, skip a pint and start now, you never know when you might need them – even in retirement) With police officer numbers reducing in recent years contributions to the charity are dwindling, whilst the risk managed single crewing of officers and fewer resources to provide adequate back up means the risks of injury and the need for treatment is on the increase. This is your chance to help those who serve your community, a couple of quid isn't much and might make all the difference to someones recovery.

Castlebrae is currently raising money for an anti-gravity treadmill. This might sound like a space age flight of fancy, but it is around £42,000 worth of brilliant technology which allows those with lower limb injuries to gently work back to health learning to walk and run again but with up to 80% of their bodyweight reduced off the injured limbs, allowing exercise during recovery, preventing muscle wastage and speeding recovery. Having experienced the effects of muscle wastage and going
through the process of learning to walk properly again I can see how valuable this will be. One single benefactor has very kindly donated £20,000 to the fund leaving £22,000 to raise. I hope to raise £500 towards that. 

So my personal challenge this year is not only to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge, but to smash my previous best time of 10 hours 25 minutes and at the same time raise some money towards the anti-gravity treadmill. Since April I have been working hard to rebuild my leg muscles with regular hikes in various terrain to try and get me fit enough for the 3 peaks challenge. My longest hike so far has been a 20 mile length of the Cleveland Way, which left me blistered but undeterred - I have proven my leg will take the strain and I am determined to beat those peaks!

Please donate what you can, and don’t forget to gift aid it if applicable as this will increase the donation with the taxman adding 28 pence for each pound donated. Go on, get one over on the tax man!

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