Charity fundraisers battled poor weather for eight hours to scale Yorkshire’s three peaks and raise money for the city’s cardiac unit.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust consultant cardiologist Dr Paul Smith, and ward 22 sisters Louise Akeroyd and Anne Wiggins joined forces with PEC managing director Sohan Panesar and 15 employees, clients, and suppliers including Lahore, DBL and Xpand Marketing for the challenge.

Dr Smith said: “All the group were hoping for good weather for our ascent but we ended up battling torrential rain for about eight hours.

“When we reached the summit we were wet and couldn’t see a thing as the weather was closing in but we are delighted to have completed the three peaks in a good time.”

The three-peaks challenge is the latest in a series of brave fundraising stunts organised by Bradford-based contracting firm PEC who have adopted the cardiology department as its charity for the year.

Other activities involving PEC personnel have involved jumping out of planes and diving with sharks as the company aims to raise £40,000.

Dr Smith said: “PEC’s efforts are fantastic and we are delighted that they have organised several fundraising events.

“Their efforts and the money that they raise will make a massive difference, enriching the whole patient experience and improving the quality of care for patients throughout the district.

“The fact that this is an ongoing relationship is an added bonus, as last year they donated £16,000 to the Foundation Trust’s dementia work in enhancing the healing environment for our patients.”

PEC managing director Sohan Panesar said: “Despite the weather the team rose to the challenge and showed how raising funds for a great cause, such as the cardiac unit, gave them the drive to keep on going.

“Of all the challenges I've attempted for this year's PEC Heart Appeal, this was by far the most difficult but the memory of my granddad, and what we are hoping to achieve in his name, kept me going.

“The cardiac unit saved his life on more than one occasion.”

Anyone who would like to support the team through a donations can visit justgiving.com/Bradford-Hospitals-Yorkshire-Three-Peak-Challenge-Team