Since October 2023, people from across tombola have come together to fundraise and train for the National Three Peaks Challenge, a sponsored event to raise money for our two Charity Partners of the Year – Children’s Heart Unit Fund (Chuf) and Aladina.

Myself and 18 others will take on the 3,064 meter ascent within 24 hours. The clock starts ticking at 7.30am on 14th June from Ben Nevis in Scotland, followed by England’s highest summit Scafell Pike, then (hopefully) going on to finish our challenge in Wales at the peak of Snowdon; concurring the three biggest mountains within each representative country of the British Isles, all in a days work… well, in 24 hours.

Gordon Cummings – Gamed Developer, Game Studio

“Training for this challenge has been pretty difficult with Sunderland's highest peak being Penshaw Monument at a whopping 450 feet… but with plenty bike rides, runs and the occasional trip to the lakes, I think we'll just about manage, I've managed to ascend Helvellyn and Scafell Pike since setting this goal both at around the 3 hour mark so fingers crossed I can keep that kind of momentum by the final hours on Snowdon.”

Rachel Thompson – Growth Manager, Marketing

“At the start of the year I struggled to do 10 minutes on the Stairmaster machine but now do an hour no problem. Alongside the gym, I have been outdoors as much as possible. I climbed Scafell Pike back in March but never made it to the summit due to a snow storm. I have been to Simonside Hills in Northumberland, Malham Cover in Skipton, and most recently completed Scafell again and managed to get to the top. All of this alongside my 2-year-old Boston Terrier Theo who loves walking!”

Jon Fox – Product Manager, Game Studio

“With a busy work and family life it’s been tricky to get loads of training in but I have been getting out for hikes when I can. I managed to tackle the Ullswater way which is a 20 mile hike around the stunning Ullswater lake in the Lake District. It was very challenging but it’s given me confidence that I can manage at least 20 miles so on challenge day I think I’ll have another 6 miles in the tank.”

Sharon Giffin – Senior Graphic Designer, Platform

"My face must have gone through 50 shades of red over the course of the last few months. I’ve Hiked Scafell pike in March this year via the Corridor Route which was 7 hours and in a second attempt this May via Wasdale Head, which is the route we will take on the day, took our time to 5 hours! That was hard, inclines that never gave up and paths that were really tough on the legs. It’s made me up my incline training since on the treadmill!”

With over £8,000 already raised, the team have been pushing their own hearts, minds, and fitness to the limit with these huge goals. But what about when it’s all over?

Gemma Podesta - International Compliance Manager, Compliance

“I’ll be seeing my family in UK for the first time in years, so I will probably be celebrating completing this monumental challenge and not actually sleeping at all”

Jon Fox – Product Manager, Game Studio

“I feel sorry for my wife having to put up with the moaning about pain afterwards. I also plan to crack open a few beers in celebration of completing the challenge.”

Kristers Stohniy - Financial Planning and Reporting Analyst, Finance

“I’m going to use me being back in the UK as an opportunity to visit my family in Manchester for a few days, and probably visit Nando’s 5 times…"

It’s a huge mental and physical challenge, but what are we doing it all for?

A little more about our Charity Partners of the Year

Because 1 in 100 babies are born with a heart condition and one of our Charity partners are there to help. Chuf are on a mission to fund seven life saving pieces of equipment, and we want to help. See more on their Facebook page.

Chuf support the Heart Hero’s and their families who are treated at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Money raised by tombola will fund a year of the Clown Doctors who visit the children in the hospital to address physical and emotional wellbeing through laughter, music, and play.

Aladina improves the quality of life of children and teenagers with cancer and their families and collaborate with 20 public hospitals in Spain. They ensure that sick children and their families never lose hope, happiness and the determination to keep fighting.

How can you support?

Check out our fundraising page to raise our hikers spirits and, most importantly, charity funds as we climb our way to the top of each mountain. tombola will double the total raised for the National Three Peaks Challenge, so for every £1 donated another is added to the total.