A 14-STRONG team from Swindon business Excalibur Communications completed the National Three Peaks Challenge.

Colleagues from across, sales, marketing, finance and tech support teams in the IT communications and solutions provider took part in an attempt to climb each of the highest mountains in Scotland, Wales and England in just one day.

They were supported in their race against time by four crew members who drove them 462 miles to reach each mountain and catered throughout the challenge to help them rest and refuel between summits and fight off sleep deprivation.

Excalibur CEO Peter Boucher said: “This has been the hardest physical challenge that most of the team has ever undertaken, including myself.

“Climbing for three fantastic causes chosen by the Excalibur team was a huge motivator and benefits our charities to the tune of £30,000.

“Our success was underpinned by thorough preparation and commitment from the climbers and great support from across the company.

“With over a third of the company actively involved, Three Peaks is a great example of how well we work as a team.”

The team began their quest on Scotland's Ben Nevis at 6.30am on Saturday August 3 before moving on to Scafell Pike in the Lake District and completed it by 6.18am the next day at Mt Snowdon in Wales.

In total, they climbed 3,308 metres. The challenge raised money for three south west charities nominated by Excalibur employees.

Each mountain in the challenge represented a different good cause they were supporting.

The team scaled Ben Nevis for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, reached the peak of Scafell Pike for Jessie May Hospice at Home and climbed Snowdon for the Bristol Children’s Charity.

Back in the office, Excalibur encouraged the whole business to get involved by installing step machines, counting laps around the local lake and holding a fundraising cake sale.

Sponsors included Excalibur parters Cabledata, Ironshare, 24HRGYM, RedRock Consulting, MDEE and Thrings.