FOUR men whose link is rugby will be taking the Three Peaks Challenge over September 21 and 22 to raise funds for four charities.

The four are Wayne Reed, county and international player, plays for Crediton RFC and is a Scout Leader, doing the Challenge for Bramble Ward, R D and E Hospital, Exeter.

Shane Bayley, also Crediton RFC player and Scout Leader, will be raising money for Action on Pre-Eclampsia promoting safer pregnancy.

Andrew Matchett lives in Exeter. He and Wayne met when both played at Plymouth Albion and Launceston and they stayed friends. Andrew is doing the Challenge for the FORCE cancer charity.

Martin Ash who now lives in Exeter, is a physio in the Royal Marines, has played rugby for the Royal Navy and plays for Crediton RFC. He is raising funds for The Not Forgotten Association, a tri-Service charity founded in 1920.

Their driver, chef and general support person is Shaun Wilson of Copplestone, father of a Crediton Scout and whose wife, Lucy, is chairman of Crediton Scout Executive Committee.

Wayne explained that he had always wanted to raise money for Bramble Ward, the R D and E children's ward, because their son had a life-threatening condition when a small boy.

"We were in Bramble Ward and the staff were fantastic, there could have been bigger problems. I'd said I would later do something, decided on the Three Peaks Challenge, twisted a few arms, they all joined, raising money for individual charities," he said.

The Three Peaks means climbing Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (966m) and Snowdon (1,085m) in 24 hours.

"We are using the Crediton Community Transport bus, going up to Fort William overnight, a 10 hour drive and will be climbing Ben Nevis in the afternoon.

"We hope there will be some food when we come back down, jump in the bus, sleep for a while on the way to Scafell Pike in the Lakes.

"We shall be going up and back in the early morning, so I have checked that in daylight. Then back in the bus, about 4am or 5am, for the drive to Wales and Snowdon," said Wayne.

Shaun is a lorry driver and had been a chef for 24 years. They reckon it is about 500 miles between the three peaks, the highest in each country, 10 or 11 hours driving and 13 hours climbing more than 3,033 metres, or about two miles.

Shane's choice of charity was because it is 10 years since their little girl died, and Action on Pre-Eclampsia is about earlier detection of a life threatening condition during pregnancy.

Martin's choice of The Not Forgotten Association was because the charity helps serving and ex-Service people who have been injured by providing entertainment, leisure and recreation.

Each year it supports about 10,000 individuals with such things as providing seats for Chelsea Pensioners on the Wimbledon Centre Court. Martin had been working in rehabilitation at 14 Commando, which had lost 14 men and others who were injured.

Andrew is supporting the FORCE cancer charity because he was diagnosed earlier this year with skin cancer. He was saved because it was caught early.

"Once you hear the C word, it is very frightening," he said. "I want to support the families and friends of people who are suffering."

Recently Andrew and Wayne did the big motor cycle ride for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Martin ran the Lympstone to Poole relay in aid of the Royal Marine's Charitable Trust Fund, as well as taking part in the New York Marathon.

Shane did the FORCE cycle ride in June from Topsham over Exmoor, when 11,000 cyclists took part.

The four have called their team Wild Hogs. To sponsor any of them contact: [email protected]">[email protected]; [email protected]">[email protected]; [email protected]">[email protected]; or [email protected]">[email protected] and they can explain what to do.

As well as Crediton and District Community Transport Limited, support has come from Crediton Milling, RM Sergeants' Mess at Lympstone, Crediton Rugby Club, The Three Little Pigs, ALC Lighting and others.

All monies raised will go into a pot to be shared equally, with 10 per cent going to Crediton Scouts, because this has essentially been a Scout-organised trip. These are the three peaks where Scouts lit the flame for the Paralympics torch in August.

Sue Read