A team from across UM Group will take on the Three Peaks Challenge next year in memory of much-loved colleague Melissa Bryers (nee Childerley).

They will be aiming to summit the highest peaks respectively in Scotland, England and Wales on June 14 and 15.

The challenge starts at 6am on Saturday 14^th when the team begins the ascent of Ben Nevis (1345m), followed by the climb of Scafell Pike (978m) in the Lake District the same evening and Snowdon (1085m) in North Wales in the early hours of Sunday 15^th.

To be successful requires a huge team effort, not only of those who are climbing the three peaks, but also the support team that will be vital in enabling the team to get to each of the climbs within the target time of 24 hours.

All funds raised will go to St Michael’s Hospice (North Hampshire) where Melissa spent her final days before her passing in October.

The goal is to raise the £16,000 required to purchase a ‘cuddle bed’ for the hospice.

A ‘cuddle bed’ takes up the same space as a normal hospital bed but can be widened to make a double bed when required, allowing loved ones to lie with their loved one.

So far, Melissa’s family and friends, encouraged by Melissa in her final days, have raised over £8,700.

Melissa worked for UM between 2011 and 2019 as our Accounts Payable Manager and was a larger-than-life personality who was much missed after she left the business.

She had been married to Scott, the love of her life, since 2015.

Geraldine Carroll, UM Group HR, Training & Office Manager, said: “We are looking forward to remembering our much-missed former colleague Melissa while also helping her family and friends raise the additional funds required to make the purchase of a new cuddle bed for St Michael’s Hospice come true.

“The Three Peaks Challenge is highly demanding and everyone who joins the UM team will have to commit to a substantial amount of training and preparation.

“There are also other ways that colleagues can get involved, perhaps by joining the support team that will play such a key role during the challenge or by helping to raise awareness of the fundraising we are undertaking and the hugely deserving cause.”

Anyone interested in getting involved in the challenge should contact Geraldine or UM colleagues Harry Lawson and Jake Ellis.

For more information about the Three Peaks Challenge visit https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/national-three-peaks-challenge/

For more details about St Michael’s Hospice visit https://www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/