Steel team's Three Peaks challenge for Barry

The men, who work for Longridge based steel erection company SWC, not only want to raise funds for sufferer Barry Ollerton, his wife Simone and two children to go on a holiday in the UK, but also to raise awareness of the life-changing effects of the debilitating disease.

Describing themselves as “middle aged,” the men will attempt the three peaks challenge on June 3, covering a distance of 22 miles, climbing more than 10,000ft and driving up to 450 miles, starting at Fort William at 5pm, to cross the finish line 24 hours later in Llanberis.

Many of them of have not done anything on this scale before and have been in training since January.

Undeterred by the rain, wind and freezing conditions whilst working away from home, the team has clocked up hundreds of miles to ensure they are fully prepared for the event.

To make sure they are in good shape for the hills the team has made good use of Parlick fell.

Kevin Williams, an SWC crane driver from Halfpenny Lane who is responsible for training, said: “We have been up and down Parlick fell more times in the last five months than I have since I moved to Longridge. We have been up in all weathers; although our times are improving the climb never seems to get any easier. The team is in good shape and I am confident that we will complete the challenge.”

The training has been difficult because the team has been dispersed across the country from Cornwall in the south west to the north east and it has been difficult to come together.

To track each other’s progress and to keep up morale the group has made good use of social media sites such as Facebook and used Apps such as STRAVA to monitor performance and to share training tips.

Motor neurone disease is caused by a progressive muscle paralysis due to a detrition of the nervous system, affecting all parts of the body.

It is a life changing condition which can have a devastating impact on sufferers and their families.

There’s currently no cure for motor neurone disease.

Events such as going on a family holiday are impossible, as it requires a team of carers to attend to the needs to the sufferer.

If you would like to see what the team has been up to over the last five months you can visit the Facebook page by searching for SWC 3 Peaks Challenge and if you would like to make a donation you can follow the link below, crowdfunding.justgiving.com/SWC3peakschallenge. A group of wives, children and partners are planning to travel to Llandudno to greet the group.