MEMBERS of a Christchurch boxing club have faced one of their toughest bouts to date – taking on three mountains in support of an autism charity.

The team from CNC Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club tackled the infamous Three Peaks Challenge, with five of the eight members raising funds for Christchurch-based Autism Unlimited, which supports autistic children and young people with bespoke education, independent living skills, advice, and guidance.

The trekkers raised £3,120 in total.

The Three Peaks challenge involves climbing the highest mountains of Scotland, England, and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – one after another, in under 24 hours.

The boxing club’s head coaches Joe Hayes and Jon Woods came up with the idea of supporting autistic people.

“When Joe said he and some of the boys were doing the challenge I said why don’t you do it for autism?” said Mr Woods.

“My son Bobby is autistic, so I know the barriers families like mine can face when looking for support, and how charities like Autism Unlimited step in to provide that support.

“Joe was very keen because he was passionate about making sure the money they raised went to a local charity.”

Mr Hayes said: “As a club we have also become more aware of Autism Unlimited since it opened its Sixth Form building in Airfield Road, near where we are based in Groveley Road.

“They do some truly amazing work with their students, and we really wanted to raise some money to support that.”

The Three Peaks Challenge requires meticulous planning and high levels of fitness to stay within the 24-hour deadline.

Ben Nevis stands at 1,345 metres and is the highest peak in Scotland and the UK.

Scafell Pike is the tallest peak in England at 978 metres, and Snowdon is Wales’ highest mountain at 1,085 metres.

Sparring Partners – left to right – Joe Hayes, Stuart Wood, David Harding and James Blanch, who along with Pete Elgar raised funds for Autism Unlimited Picture: CNC Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club

Only 40% of people who attempt the challenge complete it within the allocated time.

“We are all fit and love to push ourselves, and we all trained intensely for it. Even so, this was another level,” added Mr Hayes.

“Every mountain presented a different set of challenges.

“As we climbed Ben Nevis, the temperature kept dropping and dropping. We reached the peak to find ourselves in a minus nine-degree blizzard.

“At which point I wished I hadn’t worn shorts!

“We were with a trained guide, a super-fit paratrooper and it was a case of posing for a quick picture and then getting down, with him, as fast and safely as possible and onto the bus to get the next mountain.

“Ben Nevis wasn’t the toughest part though.

“On the second mountain, Scafell Pike we were all really feeling it trying to keep up with the guide’s pace.

“When we reached the top, he told us we were going to have to “pick things up” on the way down and that was going to hurt – and he was right!”

The team started the challenge at 6am on September 28 and finished at 5.30am on September 29– 35 minutes before the 24-hour deadline.

Mr Hayes said: “When we got home it took me 10 minutes just to get out of the car!

“But when we realised we had raised over £3k – considerably over our £500 target, it made it all the pain worthwhile.”

Carol Borwick, fundraising manager at Autism Unlimited, said: “We are in awe of the team’s support for us and the strength and determination they showed to complete such a gruelling challenge.

“Monies raised by fundraisers undertaking events such as Three Peaks Challenge, marathons or skydives help to provide additional facilities and sensory equipment for the young people we support.

“Some of our students and staff are now hoping to visit the Boxing Club and cannot wait to hear more about the team’s amazing adventure.”

The team can still be sponsored at: Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club Three Peaks Challenge – JustGiving