Staff raise vital funds for Vital Signs
AGROUP of colleagues have taken on the toughest trekking challenge Yorkshire has to offer to raise much-needed funds for heart charity Vital Signs Foundation.
Seven employees of Paymentshield, based in Southport, completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, raising £850 for the organisation.
Vital Signs Foundation, Paymentshield’s charity of the year, provides free heart screening for young people with the aim of reducing instances of sudden cardiac arrest in those aged 15 to 35 and making sure no heart condition goes undiagnosed.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge incorporates the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which must be traversed in 12 hours or under.
The peaks form part of the Pennine range and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
In total, the route is 24 miles long and includes 5,200ft of ascent.
Michaela Walsh, a content marketing executive at the company who took part in the challenge, said: “The challenge was certainly tough going and felt much longer than it was with the weather not being on our side, but it was all worth it once we’d completed the third peak in the knowledge that we’d raised vital funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“The Vital Signs Foundation is incredibly important to us and it was a joy to help raise money for them while raising awareness of an issue rarely talked about.
“Too many young people are unaware they have a heart condition, so the more screenings made available, the better.”
The other Paymentshield workers who joined Michaela on the trek were: Stephanie Barton, Ilona Cottrell, Steven Aindow, Andy MacBenn, Andrew Holt and Rob Winstanley.
For more information go to www.paymentshield.co.uk, www.vsf.org.uk (for Vital Signs Foundation) and www.threepeakschallenge.uk