Staff from a local environmental tech business trekked up hills and across moors in East Lancashire as they completed the Three Towers Challenge to raise money for charity.

A total of 28 walkers from Rawtenstall business Envirovue set out on the challenging 31-mile walk in aid of Bury charity Sam’s Gift, which supports teenagers and young adults with cancer.

The expedition, which lasted 14 hours, raised an amazing £4,703 for the cause.

Envirovue director, Daniel Redfern, and Tom Nicholls, of Sam’s Gift, organised the trek after Daniel and colleagues from the Hardman’s Business Centre-based business took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks for the same charity in 2023.

They were accompanied by Tom and his family, who established the charity in memory of his brother, Sam, who died in 2014.

Tom said: “I’m really proud of everyone who did the Three Towers Challenge, especially because it was a lot more challenging than we thought on the day.

"There were blisters and early nights all round after we’d finished, but I’m delighted with how much we raised for the charity, which does fantastic work to support young adults and teenagers diagnosed with cancer.”

The group, aged 22 to 60, began at the Waggon and Horses pub in Hawkshaw before walking up Holcombe Hill to Peel Tower, the first on their list of three.

The walk continued across Helmshore, Edgworth and Entwistle, all the way to Jubilee Tower in Darwen, with a quick lunch stop before taking in the final tower of the trip, Rivington Pike. 

The walkers, led by guides from Helmshore business Abigail’s Trails, finished back at Hawkshaw where everyone enjoyed pie and peas to end the day.

Employees trained for the event using corporate gym membership provided by Envirovue as well as going for lunchtime walks.

Daniel said: “The weather was brilliant, which in some respects made it harder in the heat, but the best part of it was seeing how much money we raised for the charity’s Journey Boxes, which support mental health and wellbeing for teenagers as they go through diagnosis.

“It was also fantastic to see employees coming together and supporting each other, we had 10 people more than last year, which shows the great team culture we have here.”