A FATHER from Ramsbottom, who lost his mum, sister and dad to cancer over the course of 15 years has completed the three peaks challenge.

Paul Walsh, aged 42 completed the challenge with his two friends and brother in law for The Christie, a charity which all three were cared for and treated at.

The aim is to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours, including the journey in between.

He said: "It was the toughest thing I have ever had to do but we completed it, even if it was with just one minute to spare.

"I was coming down the rock face edge at Snowdown and thought to myself "I’m not going to make it" - your knees are gone and you have cramp but you have to just keep going.

"I came around the corner and could see the lights of the van in the distance and just ran for the last half a mile and hit it at 23 hours and 59 seconds. It was really emotional and there was lot of hugs, handshakes and cheers.

"Individually these mountains would have been OK.

"Ben Nevis was harder than we expected and took a lot longer, but we all said Scafell was the toughest.

After finishing the climb of Scafell Pike Paul took a turn for the worst.

He said: "I hadn’t respected how much fluids I needed I was severely dehydrated. I had the shakes and felt very ill on the journey to Snowdon.

"You try and get as much rest as you can on the journeys in between, but with five men in a van it is impossible to get any quality rest. We tried to eat and rehydrate but no-one was hungry.

"Even with around eight months preparation and training nothing can prepare you for this and the way that we did it."

Ben Nevis was the first challenge which took the men five hours, Scafell was next and took three and a half hours and finally Snowdon which also took around three and a half hours.

Paul originally set himself a target to raise £1000 for The Christie, but has had a huge backing and has managed to raise around £5,500.

"I have never spoke about my story before and I think when people read it they felt touched and really got on board.

"I have had friends contacted who I haven’t spoken to for many years saying they can't believe what I have been through – I have even had a business from Belgium donate."

In the future, Paul wants to complete a challenge every two years. He wants to take part in the east to west coast bike ride in Scotland, which also involves walking and kayaking. He also wants to complete the Yorkshire three peaks and eventually wants to challenge himself to climb Kilimanjaro.

To supoort Paul you can still donate on his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alpha3peaks