TEENAGER Thomas Hawkins and a group of friends completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge and raised almost £2,000 for charity after his cousin was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 17-year-old’s young cousin was diagnosed with a serious form of bone cancer in June, which inspired Thomas to take on the tough challenge of climbing the country’s highest mountains – Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis.

He took on the challenge along with six of his friends from New College and a couple of staff members, who did the driving.

The team completed the challenge on virtually no sleep in 27 hours and 25 minutes.

He said: “It went really well. Everyone was really positive for it and we all helped each other and supported each other. But I think we only got about two hours sleep through the whole trip.

Swindon Advertiser:

Members of the New College Three Peaks team 

“We are expected to reach £2,000 as a total fund raised. We are currently close to £1,300 through offline and online donations, via just giving.

“We were assisted in doing this challenge by New College Swindon and I want to thank them dearly for fundraising help, as well as donating their minibus for the event.

Thomas was inspired to organise the trip after he found out about how ill his cousin was.

He said: “It’s true what they say in the adverts; it was one of those moments where you just feel everything fall. ”

  • To help Thomas and the team reach their targets you can sponsor them at: www.justgiving.com/Thomas-Hawkins1.
  • You can also donate by texting TPKS3 followed by your amount to 70070