A STOURBRIDGE man has completed a gruelling physical and mental challenge in order to raise an impressive £3,000 for a charity that supports disabled children and their families.

Tom Wade, aged 33, tackled the world famous three peaks challenge, a succession of climbs that saw him scaling Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales.

He took on the challenge with four friends from Scotland, Hull and Telford, in aid of Caudwell Children.

But they added an extra level of difficulty to their attempt, as Mr Wade explained: “The three peaks challenge is usually completed within 24 hours but we extended that to three-and-a-half days. This enabled us to attempt to run the 450 mile journey between the mountains.”

The team set off from Fort William, in the West Highlands of Scotland, on Thursday May 15 and completed it at midday last Sunday (May 18). They intended to take turns to run six mile legs between the peaks, before climbing each mountain but their efforts were beset by problems as one of the team suffered a leg injury at the end of day one, forcing the rest of the team to run for longer.

The injured runner was then knocked off his bicycle, by a passing car, as he supported the group in their approach to Scafell Pike, in Cumbria, so the team had to drive for 90 of the 450 miles. Mr Wade said: “It turned out to be an extremely punishing challenge. Fortunately, it was only the bike that was a write-off but the whole team were shaken by the incident.”

He said they decided to support Caudwell Children after searching the internet to find a worthy cause: “One area of the charity’s fundraising immediately struck a chord with us. They help disabled children to secure equipment such as therapy tricycles.

"Given our active backgrounds we really appreciate the difference this type of equipment will make to disabled children. It will give them new found mobility, increase their fitness and develop their confidence.”

Donations can still be made online at www.justgiving.com/3peaks-450miles.