Ashington man’s mountainous trek

Ashington resident William Garrett will be joined by 34 fellow trekkers from Lloyds Banking Group to take on the mountainous challenge ‘Peaks for Pudsey’ on Friday September 18.
Katherine Gould dressed up as Pudsey Bear in Steyning high street to help raise funds for her boyfriend William Garrett's fundraiser SUS-150916-121133001Katherine Gould dressed up as Pudsey Bear in Steyning high street to help raise funds for her boyfriend William Garrett's fundraiser SUS-150916-121133001
Katherine Gould dressed up as Pudsey Bear in Steyning high street to help raise funds for her boyfriend William Garrett's fundraiser SUS-150916-121133001

Tasking the team to scale 24 peaks in just 24 hours, Peaks for Pudsey will lead the keen fundraisers up variety of famous Peaks in the Lake District, including the challenging ascent of 3,116ft up Helvellyn Mountain, as well as scaling 3,208ft up Scafell Pike.

William, who recently joined the banking group as an apprentice, is attempting to personally raise £2,500 for Children in Need through the challenge.

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The 20-year-old said: “I decided to take part in this challenge for BBC Children in Need because I realise how lucky I am to have grown up in a loving and caring family where I have always had a number of opportunities to thrive; something which so many young people don’t.

“It’s great to know that every peak I climb will help Britain prosper, by making a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.”

Spilt over two days, the trekkers will have to cover 28kms in 12.5 hours on day one, and 23kms in 10 hours for day two if they are to make the finish line on time.

As an additional obstacle, the team, who hope to raise a total of £100,000, will be carrying BBC Children in Need official mascot Pudsey Bear to the top of every peak.

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Ahead of the challenge, William also took to Steyning high street last weekend to help boost funds alongside his girlfriend Katherine Gould who dressed as Pudsey Bear (pictured).

Katherine, who is 19 and lives in Steyning, said: “We had generous donations from Cobblestone Tea House and free coffee and refreshments.

“The public added to this with generous donations and people getting into the fundraising spirit, with children hugging and having pictures with Pudsey.

“We would like to say thank you to everyone for helping to raise over £200 that morning. With one local saying ‘we had brightened up the high street’ which was lovely to hear.”

To donate visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/williamgarrett96

Picture contributed by Katherine Gould.