A GROUP of Newport firefighters are taking on a gruelling challenge in aid of charity.

The Maindee firefighters have high hopes of completing the Three Peaks Challenge, held in June, in record time.

The team of seven are hoping to beat the time they set last year, when they successfully climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in just 17 hours and 30 minutes.

By scaling Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1085m), the firefighters raised more than £700 last year for the Richard Jenkins Memorial Fund and the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund. This year's Three Peaks Chall-enge is on June 19 and 20.

Competing teams must complete more than 20 miles of hiking, 10,000 feet of climbing, and some 500 miles of driving between each location, all within 24 hours.

Those who complete the Challenge in fewer than 20 hours receive a gold medal; those under 22 hours receive a silver medal, and teams who finish in 22 to 24 hours get a bronze. Leading firefighter Dean Loader is one of the participants. He is from Maindee Fire Station.

He said: "This is one of the toughest, most physically demanding endurance challenges in the UK to complete.

"We were really pleased with the time we made last year, and the amount of money we were able to raise for charity.

"This year we are fundraising for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, which provides recuperative care, rehabilitation and therapy to retired and serving personnel, their widows and young dependants.

"The team has been training for this challenge for more than six months, and we are confident that our preparation, fitness levels and team-working skills will help us to succeed again - and hopefully bring back another gold medal."

They will also be raising money for TOGS, a centre based in New Inn that supports children and young people with special needs, and their families, living in the Torfaen area.

The team are seeking assistance to finance and support their charity challenges.

To offer support, sponsor the teams, or for further information, please contact Maindee fire station on 01633 275830.