An Ashby couple have completed the challenge of climbing the UK three national peaks in three days to raise money for local sport in the town.

Kenny and Helen Horn climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in the space of 72 hours.

The feat meant they raised £1,000 for Ashby Sport - and raised awareness of the organisation whose aim is to increase participation and improving health and wellbeing.

It was a gruelling few days for the pair who had been planning the peak walks all year.

Their preparations were disrupted by the fact that Kenny was elected as a town and district councillor in May.

But they were finally able to don their walking boots last week.

Helen told Ashby Nub News that the task left them 'tired but chuffed' - combined with the logistics of driving from Scotland, to the Lake District and then on to Snowdonia, with little time to spare in between.

But she added the experience was worth it and that every penny raised would be put back into Ashby Sport.

If you would like to donate to the total, you can find the link HERE.

Helen said: "We started last Tuesday with Ben Nevis, on Wednesday we did Scafell Pike, then to Snowdon next day, so it was three consecutive mountains. 

"But we also travelled maybe five or six hours between each one. We're pretty tired, but very chuffed. We're not youngsters anymore.

"Ben Nevis took us seven hours, including a stop - and Snowdon took us about six hours as well. But we literally just walked straight up and straight back down with a typical 20 minute, or half an hour stop on the summit.

"In an ideal world, we would have done it much sooner. But because Kenny was campaigning for council in April and May, and then our son got married in July, we physically couldn't do the challenge until August.

"We did some training earlier in the year, in February, March, April time. Then it came to a standstill because we then had to concentrate on the other priorities.

"So it was a little bit of a wing and prayer, because we hadn't really done any training since.

"We said we'd describe Ben Nevis as enduring, Scafell Pike as gruelling, it was just horrible - one continual, three mile walk up rocks and boulders and stones - but Snowdon was more friendly.

"Some crazy people do the 24 hour challenge where they do one after the other, walking part of the way in the dark. And we just knew that just wouldn't work for us. To be honest, I think that just sounds dangerous.

"I suppose the small positive during a 24 hour one, is that you can sleep while somebody else is driving you from one country to the next. Then at least at least you're doing it all in one go.

"Whereas the way we did it meant that, each morning, you woke up with tired legs and you were up and off again.

"We drove to the next country at night. So, for example, on Tuesday, we started the Ben Nevis walk at eight o'clock in the morning. Then we had a six hour journey to get across to the Lake District. So we didn't get there until 10 o'clock at night. Then it was get a bit of food down, then sleep. And then wake and climb again."

Helen says the money raised is being used to make Ashby Sport even stronger following its formation two years ago.

She added: "We do the yearly fun day, and we would like to think that we can make that bigger and better. 

"The more money we've got in the pot, the more additional things we can do on the day. We've had three so far. 

"Myself and Kenny, we started it completely voluntarily, we don't earn a penny from it. The Fun Day is free for visitors to attend - and we don't charge the sports clubs either to actually be there on the day. 

"That's important for us to keep it free. But there are expenses to consider.

"We want Ashby Sport to grow and we're just trying to make a stronger entity, that it's a little bit more robust. Then we can do even greater stuff in the town."

Helen's Three Peaks Facebook Diary

Ben Nevis 

"We've decided it's an insult to call Ben Nevis a peak! It's a proper mountain!!! Well, we made it! A rainy and misty ascent, but managed to see clearly enough to get to the summit. Thankfully the sun joined us on the way down, so we got to see the mountain in all its glory and dry out."

Scafell Pike

"Scary Scafell! A long, gruelling, vertical, upward path of rocks, boulders and shingle. Ben Nevis is higher, but there's at least some traversing!This is a relentless underfoot battle. One amazing thing though was the weather and stunning scenery. Pleased to have achieved the challenge but won't be repeating."

Snowdon

"Today's challenge was windy. Nearly blew me off the mountain! Fantastic views on the way up and down, but more like peaky blinder than the Three Peaks at the summit! A much gentler experience than the other two, but still a challenge on tired legs. 

"Chuffed to bits we've completed all three and raised funds for Ashby Sport. Thank you to everyone who donated and for all the messages of encouragement from friends & family. It has been very much appreciated."

Helen and Kenny added: "Since 2021, Ashby Sport has grown year on year and with the valuable support of our sponsors, Vitalize Physiotherapy, Kangaroo UK and Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, we hope that 2024 will be an even bigger year."