Five young ladies from Lewis undertook, and completed, the Three Peaks Challenge for the Fund in August. Ann Marie Murray, Leah Mackay, Anna Macritchie, Donna Mackay and Lorna Macarthur climbed Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England, and Ben Nevis in Scotland in 24 hours in memory of their dear friend Leanne.

Here the girls explain why they chose the Challenge, and share some of their experiences of what was a very tough day!

"I had been searching for an appropriate fundraiser to pay tribute to Leanne's courage, determination and her inspiring attitude to the challenges she faced in life, and thought the Three Peaks fitted perfectly. When I approached the others about it, they all said yes immediately which was really encouraging" explains Ann Marie.

Training started in January, with regular trips to the gym and actual climbing practice once the weather improved. As the group were dispersed throughout the country, training was often completed alone or in pairs. The Clisham, Ben Lomond, some Munros and Ben Nevis itself were all tackled to prepare for the big day, which seemed to come round very quickly once the summer arrived.

The group met in Glasgow and travelled to Snowdonia the day before 'Challenge Day' in a very comfortable minibus generously donated by Borve House Hotel to the girls for their travel. A fashion parade of their kit donated by Lewis Crofters and The Scottish Salmon Company followed that evening, before organising their equipment and food for the next day, and bedding down for one last night's rest.

"After days of being scared of the Challenge, once the day actually came I felt quite relaxed about it" confesses Lorna. Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales was first on the agenda. "At the start line we met two guys who had just completed the Challenge (we weren't jealous at all!) and started chatting" explains Ann Marie. "They were really friendly and helpful, telling us exactly what path to follow and even giving us another map of Scafell Pike - the peak they found hardest." The girls set off at 9:15am and took in the beautiful scenery Snowdon had to offer in the glorious sunshine. "I loved every minute of the Snowdon hike" says Anna, "the weather, scenery and good banter made it feel like no time at all before we were at the top jostling for space with the undeservers who took the train! Seeing someone drinking a takeaway coffee was the last straw!"

Running the majority of the way back down the mountain bought the girls back some time, even though they managed to take a SLIGHT detour off the path and down a cliff face in an attempt to follow the boys at the start line's advice in finding the other "easier" path! Must go back to orientation, girls! Getting stuck in Bank Holiday traffic (with the added bonus of both Creamfields and Reading and Leeds festivals being held that weekend) was the next delay, although this was to be expected and outwith their control. Soon their incredible driver Mairi S Murray had brought them along the narrow, winding Lake District lanes to the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike.

"Starting Scafell Pike with tired legs and the sun going down was such hard work, the steep hike the whole way was such a struggle, but we had a few giggles to keep each other moving" recalls Anna. "Leah was on paricularly fine form, making up a song about 'lower back pain' and scaring me into remembering that we were indeed alone on a deserted mountain in the darkening hours of the day - even the sound of the sheep walking on the rocks behind me made me jump! She kept talking about ridiculus things that are probably best to remain within the group! She definitely kept me going on that ascent" teases Ann Marie. "The trek down with head torches was pretty scary, especially since it meant you had moths dive-bombing your face. And I saw a bat or two" remembers Anna. "Thankfully we had hot food waiting for us back at the minibus at 11pm, courtesy of our heroic driver/super cook Mairi."

"Heading to Ben Nevis was a very quiet time for Mairi, as we all slept for a few hours" says Lorna. "We could have guessed Scotland would throw all seasons at us in a matter of hours, but that's just part of getting through the Challenge. "We'd been amazingly fortunate with the weather up to this point, so we couldn't complain too much. Plus Leah got her wish granted to wear our brilliant waterproofs and lightweight fleeces!" says Ann Marie.

"Starting in the dark with what felt like jelly legs made the first half hour of our last ascent torture" explains Anna. "Once we hit our stride and the sun came up, it was just a case of mind over matter. We knew everyone was counting on us and how many donations had been made and that spurred us all on. Being joined halfway up by some friendly faces was such a boost too." Friends and family of the girls had travelled to Fort William to welcome them at the finish line, and some of them even decided to climb Ben Nevis with them to give them some encouragement. "It's as much a psychological challenge as it is a physical one, as when you're tired and your legs ache you can begin to doubt yourself as to whether you're going to be able to make it to that third summit, but then you think about why you're doing it, and these thoughts spur you on" says Ann Marie. "The encouragement of the guys towards the top really was the boost I needed".

The sense of community on each of the mountains was also a special and memorable aspect of the Challenge, with many stopping to talk to the girls to ask them about the Challenge or the Fund. Sometimes meeting some interesting characters along the way - even a whole batch of superheroes, including Super Gran and a very chatty Bananaman - gave the girls another morale boost.

The girls became separated on Ben Nevis, but still managed to complete the three mountains in a day.

The girls felt that leaving Ben Nevis for last was very difficult. They had decided to do the Challenge "in reverse" to make it easier for friends and family who wanted to meet them at the finish line. "I wouldn't have changed to doing the 'easier way' for the welcome we got at the bottom of Ben Nevis - it was really lovely to see and hear everyone cheering us, and a perfect finish to a very tough 24 hours" explains Ann Marie. Leah meanwhile reflects, "I couldn't have asked for a better bunch to do it with. It was a great feeling to know we had achieved our goal together, and despite the aches and pains it was worth ever second to raise money for a charity that is very close to all of our hearts. We had lots of laughs along the way too, which was just what we needed to lift our spirits." Donna summarises their experience well, simply saying that "doing the Three Peaks in 24 hours was a huge mental and physical challenge, but the sense of achievement when we finished was worth every painful step!"

Ann Marie, Leah, Donna, Anna and Lorna would like to sincerely thank their main sponsors - The Scottish Salmon Company, Lewis Crofters, Borve House Hotel and Caledonian MacBrayne for their help in making the Challenge a success. They would also like to thank others who supported their fundraising - LHYCA, Eschol Guest House in Breasclete, Alex France & Sons (Butchers), and Tech Mobile. Special thanks are also given to all who have given generously in supporting their Challenge.

This page will be updated with the total sum that the girls managed to raise for the Fund in the coming months.