STAFF at a retirement house developer based in the New Forest are taking on a gruelling challenge for charity.

The team from McCarthy and Stone’s Ringwood Headquarters, are set to take on the dizzying heights of the National Three Peaks Challenge on the October 7 in aid of older people’s charity, Royal Voluntary Service.

Gabrielle Dearling, Charlotte Hitchcock, Nicki Beswarick, Lizzie Thompson, Louise Daly and Joe Boba hope to complete on the challenge in under 17 hours.

The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains in Wales within one punishing 24-hour period.

The group have been training hard in preparation for the big challenge, clocking up over 80 hours a month in the gym between them, and around 20 hours’ worth of walks so far.

Gabrielle, senior marketing executive for McCarthy and Stone southern region, said: “We’ve been focusing on our endurance fitness which includes long walks across varied terrain.

"So far we have been to Durdle Door, the South Downs, Chesil Beach, the Purbecks, and we are doing a longer walk all together in September through the New Forest.

“It’s definitely one of the hardest things we’ve done, but it’s been a lot fun and we’ve shared a lot of laughs along the way too.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support so far," Gabrielle added.

"Royal Voluntary Service do such important work in the community, bringing smiles to older people, and together we hope to raise vital cash to help transform the lives of older people.”

The team are looking to raise a total of £5000 for Royal Voluntary Service through fundraising on the group’s Just Giving page.

To sponsor the team visit: https://www.justgiving.com/marketingthreepeaks.