THE Chard RFC Ladies recently successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge.

The group decided early on that they wanted to fundraise as much as possible and plan the National three peaks challenge off their own backs.

This included saving money by not paying for professional guides and seeking the financial backing of their incredible sponsors to cover the travel expenses of the trip, ensuring they were able to handover the full final total.

A spokesperson said: “We wanted to take on this challenge to push ourselves, challenge our limits and prove what a group of headstrong, brave women could achieve.

“There were tears, but the teamwork, spirit and determination got us all through a pretty gruelling weekend.”

On Thursday, September 12, 15 people set off from Chard Rugby Club to embark on the journey to Scotland - A weekend that saw them cover over 1,000 miles, hike nearly 3,000m in elevation and experience one of the “most humbling” weekends of their lives.

After traveling through the night, they decided to hike Ben Nevis in a “good weather” window. Which quickly meant the 24-hour target went out the window, but it meant they could successfully hike the highest mountain in the UK as safely as possible and without the need for mountain rescue.

The spokesperson added: “As a team, we completely underestimated this mountain. We started all together but quickly separated into three separate groups.

“Ben Nevis was certainly an eye opener, and we wouldn’t recommend hiking this mountain on little to no sleep.”

The first group to summit completed the mountain in 7 hours, which is "bang on average".

The second group completed the mountain in ten hours and made it back down in daylight. This was very shortly preceded by a duo group, Kirsty - who injured herself during the hike, and Ellie - who sacrificed her own personal challenge to support her teammate and make sure she made it down safely.

The third and final group completed the mountain in 14 hours, but they made friends with a police officer who had been abandoned by his mates and the team spirit and friendship ensured everyone made it back down safely, in the pitch black and pouring rain.

They also successfully managed to reunite the abandoned police officer with his friends.

Another spokesperson for the group said: “Thankfully we all made it safely to the cabins we had booked to stay in and decided to continue on with the challenge as planned."

They then set off for Scafell Pike early on the Saturday morning, determined to make it through and managed to complete it in 5 hours and 17 minutes.

The spokesperson said: “Scafell Pike was a fantastic hike, that was enjoyable all the way to the summit before the torrential rain started.

"Eight of us made the summit and we had a glowstick party at the top. The most unlikely person to navigate, successfully navigated the group down rough terrain and a far from “well marked” path in the dark, and to arrive at the bottom with hot drinks already lovingly prepared by the rest of the team, certainly perked everyone’s spirits up after walking for three hours in the heavy rain.”

After warming up and changing out of their "soaking wet" gear they bundled back into the vans and set off for North Wales.

Despite the weather not being on their side, six of them set off up the third and final mountain – carrying on through heavy rain and strong winds.

After making it to a distance a little way up the hill after Clogwen tunnel, to an area known as an “accident blackspot when the winds picked up”, the group decided to call it and headed back down to safety.

The spokesperson added: “Although gutted to have not reached the third and final summit, we will certainly be returning to conquer Snowdon one day. Preferably in the sunshine.

“We would like to say a big thank you to our drivers; Jade, Kayleigh, Webby and Gavin- who gave up their weekend to drive over 1,000 miles and ferry us from point to point. Thank you so much. The challenge would not have been possible without you.

“Thank you to all our friends and family for supporting us and keeping us going through the challenge and supporting our events.

“We would also like to say a very big thank you to our sponsors and thank you for coming this evening, your financial backing covered the mini bus hire and fuel expenses for the trip, which enabled us to be able to donate this incredible amount we have raised.”

List of Sponsors:

• Colin Mould

• ODC Improvements

• GW Machinery Services

• Millman Electrical Ltd

• Unplugging History Metal Detecting

• Cornerways Flowers and Floral Design

• Chard Natural Health Centre

• Tatworth Women’s Institute

• The Inner Wheel Club of Chard

• Clive Adams

• Tracey Berry Personal Travel Agent

The group received over £200 in donations during the weekend.

Overall, they raised a total of £5291.03 (£2645.52 which was presented to the Chard Community Hub and £2645.52 presented to the Rugby Club on Friday, October 4).