STAFF at McCarthy and Stone’s Ringwood Headquarters took on the dizzying heights of the Three Peaks Challenge last week.

The group completed the gruelling mission to raise £3,000 for older people’s charity, Royal Voluntary Service.

Nicki Beswarick, Gabrielle Dearling, Charlotte Hitchcock, Lizzie Thompson, Louise Daly and Pete Mitchell all completed the challenge climbing the highest mountains in Wales in less than 19 hours.

The team trained hard in preparation for the big challenge, clocking up more than 80 hours a month in the gym collectively.

Ms Beswarick, marketing executive for McCarthy and Stone Southern region, said: “It was pretty tough, we were hampered by very bad weather and got absolutely soaked, as our waterproof clothing didn’t stand up to the elements, however we did it.

“It’s definitely one of the hardest things any of us have ever done, but we did it because we wanted to raise awareness not just for Royal Voluntary Service, which all of us at McCarthy and Stone are supporting this year, but all the other charities and organisations that are in desperate need of funding and help.”

The team’s fundraising efforts are all part of McCarthy and Stone’s 40th anniversary celebrations, which in 1977 saw the company open its very first retirement development in New Milton.

To honour this important milestone, the developer has partnered with Royal Voluntary Service with the aim of raising over £150,000 in support of projects across the South of England and the rest of the UK.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support so far in helping us raise over £3,000," Ms Beswarick added.

"Royal Voluntary Service do such important work in the community, bringing smiles to older people, and we hope know this money will help to transform even more lives.”