Pictured (from left) are Giulia Heath, Richard Heath, Andy Sibcy, Julien Morel, Kate Sibcy and Jo Hutchison Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (00922626)

A GROUP of journalists from the JEP and Channel 103 is to attempt one of the toughest fundraising challenges in Britain to raise money for two Jersey charities.

The eight-strong team is preparing to scale the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in just 24 hours.

All the money raised for the trek, known as the Three Peaks Challenge, will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support (Jersey) and Help a Jersey Child.

The trek is regarded as one of the most physically demanding walking challenges in the UK, with participants scaling steep inclines while battling freezing temperatures and coping with sleep deprivation.

The team, comprising JEP journalists Richard Heath, Jo Hutchison, Julien Morel, Andy Sibcy, Channel 103 journalist Giulia Heath, Les Quennevais teacher Kate Sibcy and two members from the UK, will start the challenge on the afternoon of 8 May. They are hoping that JEP readers will dig deep and help support the two worthy local charities.

Their challenge begins with the 4,409 ft high peak of Ben Nevis in Scotland, before driving south to scale the 3,209 ft high Scafell Pike in the Lake District during the early hours of the following day. The team will then finish the challenge by climbing 3,560 ft to the summit of Snowdon in north Wales.

Half the money will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support (Jersey), formerly Cancerbackup Jersey, based at the Lido Medical Centre, St Saviour’s Road, which offers information, support and practical advice to anyone affected by cancer.

Tracey Fallon, their Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, said that the money raised will help the charity to continue providing free, high quality information and support to cancer patients and their families in Jersey.

She added: ‘This sounds like an exciting an extremely difficult challenge and we wish the team all the best and wholly support their efforts.’

Colin North, Help a Jersey Child trustee, said: ‘I am thrilled that the JEP and Channel 103 have joined forces for this appeal to raise as much money as possible for two deserving local charities.

‘Channel 103’s Help a Jersey Child exists to change the lives of disadvantaged children in our own community. Every penny raised goes towards making a difference to local families most in need. Climbing three mountains in one day will be a gruelling challenge. I wish them all the best and look forward to following their progress on the radio and in the newspaper.’

• To donate, send a cheque made payable to JEP/103 Three Peaks Challenge to either the JEP, Five Oaks, Jersey, PO Box 582 or Channel 103, 6 Tunnell Street, St Helier, JE2 4LU.

Alternatively, you can take your donation to any branch of Lloyds TSB quoting the account number 56453560 and sorting code 30-94-61.