A GROUP of Ledbury ladies have tackled the harsh conditions of the Brecon Beacons on a gruelling hike, to raise funds for children whose parents died while serving in the Armed Forces.

Friends Kelly Wright, a 32 year old mum of one; Joanne Mallinson, aged 35; Lisa Hughes, aged 41 and Mandy Brace, aged 39 broke out the walking boots and water proof trousers last weekend to trek the 25km of mountainous South Wales terrain, as participants in the organised Trekfest Challenge .

The Brecon Beacons also serve as an SAS training ground and the group of friends took on the mountains to raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity which supports children who have lost parents that were serving in the British Armed Forces at the time.

The Ledbury group, aptly named, ‘Scotty’s Little Helpers’, faced a route which included the highest peak in South Wales, Pen y Fan.

They hoped the tough ordeal they had to face would encourage more people to donate and to help them hit their £1,000 fundraising target; and in this they were more than successful.

Kelly said: "We did really well and Lisa and I completed the trek in 7 hours 29 minutes. Jo and Mandy finished in 7 hours and 44 minutes. I think between us we will have raised £1300 to £1350, once we collect the last little bit in from our forms this week we'll know a final number.

"The event was great, very well run and we were spurred on through the hard bits knowing we were trekking for a great cause."

The decision to raise money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers came after the group discovered the charity on Facebook and were impressed by the work carried out by the charity.

Kelly added: "Being a mum myself I think the Scotty’s Little Soldiers message really hit home with me. It’s amazing to see the work the charity does for children who are in a difficult situation and it clearly affects them in such a positive way. It’s dreadful, what these children have to go through, so just knowing someone is there to hold their hand is incredible”.

“Doing a charity challenge was an idea I’ve had for a while, I said to myself at New Year that one of my resolutions was to complete a charity challenge and since then I’ve managed to convince three of my close friends to complete it with me. The Beacons Trekfest was one of the toughest challenges we could do and it’s something I never thought I’d have the courage take on."

Founded by war widow Nikki Scott in 2010, Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports children across the UK who have lost a parent while serving in the British Armed Forces. The charity was set up following the death of Nikki’s husband and father to her two children, Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009. The charity’s aim is to make children smile again.

Nikki said: “It’s great to see a group of friends coming together to raise money for our charity. We really appreciate both the time and effort they put intro The Beacons Trekfest, and would like to thank Kelly, Joanne, Lisa, and Mandy for promoting our message.

To find out more about Scotty’s Little Helpers challenge and to donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scottyslittlehelpers