Well what a day – and what a fantastic success!  All in support of raising funds into research to improve young children’s lives.  It’s not too late to make a donation, you can still go to our donation page to make your contribution in recognition of this amazing effort.

Here’s an account from the #iHV3peaks challenge organiser – Kate Thompson:

Starting off in good spirits in the rain!

Starting off in good spirits in the rain!

Conditions were not ideal for the 22 intrepid walkers who set off at 7am on Saturday 21 May.  Heavy rain and mist made the ascent up Pen Y Ghent difficult at times but everybody made it in good time, although the cold and wet weather prevented us admiring the views  from the top.

On our way!

On our way!

Fantastic views - and black clouds!

Fantastic views – and black clouds!

It's a long way!

It’s a long way!

There then followed the long walk to Ribblehead, although this was made easier with the good path and slight improvement in the weather, and spirits remained high as we approached our first checkpoint.  Unfortunately a torrential downpour of rain made for a wet and brief stop but the hot drinks and cakes, and welcoming support team set most people up for the next peak.  Unfortunately two people missed the checkpoint due to the driving rain (and their hot drinks and cake!)  but carried on after they found us leaving Ribblehead.  This fortunately was the only slight mishap in the day.

A bit damp!

A bit damp!

Here's our wonderful, wonderful support team

Here’s our wonderful, wonderful support team

A sight for sore eyes - our fabulous support team with the cakes!

A sight for sore eyes – our fabulous support team with the cakes!

The weather started to improve during the long slow ascent up Whernside, and we enjoyed good views from the top.  Second peak achieved!  The descent from Whernside is painfully steep at times and hard on the knees, and a few people slipped on the wet path.  The farm at Chapel Le Dale was a welcome sight, and our reliable support team again welcomed us with hot drinks and more delicious cakes, which set us up for the third and final peak.

Still a bit damp!

Still a bit damp!

Yummy cake break!

Yummy cake break!

Mountain Goats!

Mountain Goats!

Ingleborough is the sting in the tail as it’s an extremely steep ascent, but our team managed admirably despite tired legs.  We even gave assistance to another walker who had a panic attack and Kate led her safely up.  Everybody was relieved to reach the top and ready for the homeward stretch, although it was nearly a couple of hours later before we saw the welcome sight of Horton village coming into view.

Getting past the steep bit - and vertigo fading!

Getting past the steep bit – and vertigo fading!

It was so steep - and this photo doesn't do it justice!

It was so steep – and this photo doesn’t do it justice!

Yes we did it - the top of peak 3!!!!

Yes we did it – the top of peak 3!!!!

Pretty in pink!

Pretty in pink!

Pen y Ghent on the home stretch - not long now!

Pen y Ghent on the home stretch – not long now!

The final few steps through the village were emotional and  everybody was glad to reach the Pen Y Ghent café, our starting point around 11 hours previously.   There were cheers and a glass of prosecco for everybody by our fabulous support team following the all important checking in at the café to allow us to become members of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Club.

By the waterfall

By the waterfall

To walk 24 miles and over 4,500 feet of ascent in the rain and cold requires determination and strength, which our team clearly had.  We were all driven by the great cause that  we were raising money for, knowing that our sponsors would be waiting to hear that we had completed our challenge.

Wow - we made it to the end!!

Wow – we made it to the end!!

I wonder what the next iHV challenge will be?

Kate Thompson – 3 peaks organiser


Many thanks to Kate and her colleagues for this fantastic achievement in support of research into improving the lives of young children.  It’s not too late to make a donation, you can still go to our donation page to make your contribution in recognition of this amazing effort.

On Saturday 21 May 2016, a group of HVs and friends will be undertaking one of the great outdoor challenges of the UK – the 3 peaks of Yorkshire!

With just over a week to go to the Ready Steady Walk 3 peaks fundraising challenge, we have 22 people signed up and raising funds – 19 of whom aim to do all 3 peaks!  There are a mixture of Bradford health visitors, Children’s Centre admin staff, Better Start staff and an interesting sounding mixed group from Hull(!).

Starting and finishing in Horton in Ribblesdale, this demanding day includes ascending Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The aim is to complete all 3 Yorkshire peaks in less than 12 hours to fundraise for the iHV – and entitles the survivors to become members of the Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club. This will mean walking 24 miles, including 4,500 feet of ascent.

Please make a donation to encourage all our gritty walkers to reach their target of completing the 3 peaks in 12 hours!

You can follow the day’s trials from the comfort of your home via Twitter using #iHV3peaks and also please make a donation in support of this amazing effort.

The proceeds of this fundraising activity will help the iHV to continue its good work for children and families; specifically your money will go towards developing a programme of research to improve the lives of very young children.

Do you want to undertake one of the great outdoor challenges of the UK and raise money for the iHV?

Join us for this demanding day, ascending Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, starting and finishing in Horton in Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales.

We will start at 7am on Saturday 21 May 2016 and aim to complete all 3 Yorkshire peaks in less than 12 hours, which will entitle us to become members of the Three Peaks of Yorkshire Club. This will mean walking 24 miles, including 4,500 feet of ascent.

There will be the option of completing 1 or 2 peaks, starting at times to join the main group and
raising money through sponsorship for the iHV.

The proceeds of this fundraising activity will help the iHV to continue its good work for children and families; specifically your money will go towards developing a programme of research to improve the lives of very young children.

For more information and to register your place please contact Kate Thompson via: [email protected]

Last Saturday, the lovely Trisha Owen and her army of elves, as well as Paddy (the highway man) and his sturdy lovely Daisy and Cindy (the wonderful horses pulling the Santa Sleigh), and not forgetting Fiona and her little stylish festive Shetland pony Pebbles, came together today in the east coast village of Rudston near Bridlington to raise funds for the iHV and Rudston Youth Group.

Meeting the horses to pull Santa's Sleigh!

Meeting the horses to pull Santa’s Sleigh!

Getting ready with Santa

Getting ready with Santa

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Some wonderful young people and nearly young/young at heart folk turned out to support. It brought some fab festive cheer to villagers and they were very generous in their support.  Rosie the Elf Visitor, the mascot from the Way of the Roses Cycle Ride, had a ball and was mostly well behaved!

It was a wonderful afternoon from getting the horses from the fields and dressing them up, sorting the sleigh to spreading festive cheer.

Thank you so much Trisha and please do say a very big iHV thank you to all the wonderful folk who gave their time for this.  They all certainly seemed to enjoy it!

Trisha and Rosie the Elf Visitor getting Santa's Sleigh ready

Trisha and Rosie the Elf Visitor getting Santa’s Sleigh ready

On Sunday 7 September 2014, our wonderful team of health visitors participated to raise money for the iHV and the NSPCC. Here are some highlights and a big thank you to all our supporters.

Melita 1

Great North Run 2014

Great North Run 2014

Great North Run 2014

Great North Run 2014