Fundraisers battle storm to conquer three peaks challenge

COLLEAGUES at First Intuition in Leeds and Sheffield took on storm conditions and won when they embarked upon their Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge last Friday (Sept 12) to raise funds for two local homelessness charities.

A team of 10 colleagues plus six friends and family put in hours of training in anticipation for trekking up and down Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough which stood them in good stead as they battled torrential rain, wind and fog.

“Our aim was to complete all three peaks in 12-hours but given the demanding weather conditions which made the challenge that much tougher, it did take us longer. Thankfully, we all finished safely which is the main thing and we're all really proud to have taken part and to have raised some funds for a great cause,” commented Business Development Manager Olivia Buckley, who took part in the challenge.

This is the first time that accountancy training provider First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber has taken on a fundraising challenge of this kind. Their Yorkshire study centres in Leeds, Sheffield and Hull adopted Turning Lives Around in Leeds and the Archer Project in Sheffield as their charities of the year earlier this year, wanting to support causes to which their students and colleagues could relate. Overall, the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge has raised more than £1,100 for the two charities.

Turning Lives Around (TLA) annually supports more than 1,200 vulnerable and disadvantaged people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Leeds and Wakefield, helping with their housing needs and empowering them to live healthy independent lives.

“We selected Turning Lives Around and the Archer Project as our First Intuition Yorkshire and Humber Charities for 2025 because we strongly connect with the important work they do. Given the age of our team and learners, we understand that homelessness is an issue that can affect anyone, and we’re committed to supporting efforts to address it,” said Abbey Smith, Skills and Development Coach who coordinated the event.

TLA’s CEO Steve Hoey applauded First Intuition’s achievement and welcomed their support for the charity. “A huge well done to the challengers on their achievement in the most difficult of circumstances. We are in awe of them for completing the challenge and are extremely grateful to First Intuition Yorkshire & Humber for choosing Turning Lives Around as one of their charity partners,” he said.

“Like most charities, the current economic climate is proving tough for us and every penny we receive will be put to very good use enabling some of the most vulnerable people in our communities who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness to turn their lives around.”

If you’ve been inspired by the First Intuition team’s achievement, please help them to help us with a donation. Click here to donate.