Members of the Forth team have completed the National Three Peaks challenge in in testing conditions, taking their year‑long fundraiser for Goodlives West Cumbria past the halfway point towards a £25,000 target for the company’s 25th anniversary year in 2025.
After the team’s first weekend was cut short by a road traffic accident that closed the route ahead, colleagues returned last weekend to complete the remaining peaks.
Jamie Graham, dad Colin and Ken Johnston summited Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on the same day, building on the earlier ascent of Ben Nevis by Imogen Frazer, Aaliyah Rawlinson, Lewis Mattinson, Colin and Ken.
The effort has helped raise more than £12,500 so far, including Gift Aid.
Ken Johnston, who led the challenge for Forth, said the group was determined to finish what they started and to respect every commitment made to sponsors, he said: “Because integrity is central to Forth’s values, we ensured our sponsorship pledge was upheld.
“We went back, completed the remaining peaks, and raised the banners of our sponsors at the summits as promised.”
Fourteen‑year‑old Jamie, who represents Wath Brow Hornets, said the chance to support a local cause kept spirits high throughout the final push.
He added:“Climbing Scafell Pike and Snowdon in one day was tough, but knowing it would help people here in West Cumbria made it worth it. I’m proud to have been part of the team for Goodlives.”
Managing Director Mark Telford thanked everyone who backed the effort and underlined why Forth chose Goodlives as the focus of its 25th anniversary campaign: “Our roots are in West Cumbria and our success has always been shared with this community.
“Goodlives changes lives by giving people practical skills, confidence and a pathway into sustainable employment. That is why we set our £25,000 goal for 2025 and why so many of our team also volunteer time and equipment. The Three Peaks challenge is one step in a year of giving back.”
Above: The team at the summit of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and, right, with MD of Goodlives, Karen Jones at Wasdale Head
Mark also serves as Chair of Goodlives West Cumbria, a role he describes as “a privilege and a responsibility to ensure this vital charity continues to support those who need it most.” The engineering company is known for its ethos of “there’s always a way” and its commitment to strengthening the local supply chain by investing in people, technology and community. The hikers stuck to that ethos during the N3P challenge too.
The team were supported by BROKK, Wath Brow Hornets, 3D 360, Rosehill Theatre, Maryport Bodyworks, Millweld Engineering and The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA), with a special thank you to ALTRAD for the loan of a minibus.
Ken added that training for the challenge had been extensive and that the team appreciated “the backing of colleagues, sponsors and families who helped make the logistics work.”
