Wiganer's blinder of a peaky challenge for cause close to his heart

A dad-of-one is preparing for a tough challenge later this year, as he prepares to raise money for a worthy cause.

On September 18, Paul Liptrot from Standish is taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge in aid of The Wainwright Animal Shelter.

Considered one of Britain’s toughest outdoor challenges, it takes in the dizzy heights of Scotland’s Ben Nevis (1,344m), England’s Scafell Pike (978m) and Wales’ Snowdon (1,085m).

Over the course of 24 hours, he and his friend Liam Dickinson will trek around 26 miles and ascend to a total height of almost 3,000m.

Mr Liptrot, 39, who lives with wife Emma and their son Alexander on Thirlmere Avenue, said: “We will be climbing up Ben Nevis first at 5am on September 18.

“Then we’ll drive to Scaffell Pike which we’ll do at night and then in the early hours of September 19, we’ll take on Snowdon.

“A van has been organised by Charity Challenge to take us.”

Last year, Mr Liptrot said he raised money for the same charity, having completed the eight peaks challenge in the Lake District.

He said he is driven by his love for animals and and his desire to help the shelter through these difficult times.

For more than forty years, the shelter has been working to rescue and rehome in excess of 300 dogs, cats and kittens, ever year.

Mr Liptrot, who works as a business manager at a facilities maintenance company, said: “The shelter is close to my heart.

“I like animals and I have a dog and two cats.

“They do some great work in rescuing and rehoming the dogs, cats and kittens and are only a small charity, not one with beneficiaries.

“Every penny I raise goes directly to them.

“Due to lockdown it’s made it more difficult for them but they’ve carried on doing what they and I feel obliged to help them.”

His next aim is to gear himself up for the challenge and raise as much money as possible, having raised £1,200 last year.

He said: “I’ve not set myself a target but I’ve not got off to a bad start raising nearly £300.

“The lockdown has meant I’ve had to train locally but when things ease I’m hoping to be able to get some training going in the Lakes.

“I did the eight peaks challenge by myself and I remember there being a cold wind and rain and being left soaking wet.

“With this challenge being in September I expect the same, but I’ll be ready for it.”

To donate money to Mr Liptrot, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Liptrot1

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