Chris Masters, head of operations at leading promotional products and branded clothing franchise  Recognition Express, led a team of 11 gym buddies to complete the formidable National Three Peaks challenge recently, raising funds for local charities.

The challenge involved climbing Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis – the three highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland – within 24 hours. Chris and his team, aged from 28 to 57, completed their final descent with five minutes to spare in 23 hours and 55 minutes!

Two local charities will benefit from the climbers’ fundraising efforts: the LOROS hospice for terminally ill adults and A Gift To Lift, which provides gifts to lift the spirits of patients undergoing treatment for blood cancer.

Chris spent almost a year planning the high-endurance expedition for himself and his fitness enthusiast friends, all of whom attend Hinckley’s RE Fitness Studios. The Three Peaks Challenge is notorious for being mentally as well as physically demanding. It involves around 13 hours of climbing and 11 hours travelling between the mountains, so he appointed a five-strong support crew to share the driving and catering.

“Everyone knows that the Three Peaks Challenge is really tough, so it was the natural choice when we decided to set ourselves an exciting new goal,” Chris explained. “We’re all physically fit and several of the group had previous experience climbing the three mountains. But to complete the challenge successfully, every member of the party needs to descend the third and final mountain within the 24-hour timeframe. Towards the end, we were all suffering from lack of sleep and muscle cramps. But the team’s camaraderie and good humour ensured we all hit the finish line in 23 hours 55 minutes. We pushed ourselves to the limit in support of two really good causes that are very close to my heart.”

So far, the expedition has raised £3,500 for the two charities and the team hope this will reach £5,000.

Recognition Express was established in the UK in 1979 and is the European market leader in corporate recognition products.  It is the UK’s leading franchise specialising in badge manufacture, signs, business gifts, plaques and promotional products, plus a full range of branded and corporate clothing, school uniforms and personalised sports clothing.

For further information tel: 01530 513 300 or visit www.recognition-express.com