A group of friends from the island have completed the UK Three Peaks Charity for three charities close to their hearts.

Former students of Ramsey Grammar School Christian Penswick, 27, George Rawlinson, 24, Jamie Callister, 24, Shaun Kelly, 23, Michael Valerga, 21, Jordan Kelly, 21, completed the 24 hour challenge with more than three hours left on the clock.

The team, using the name ’Peaky Finders’, took on the highest peaks in the UK - Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdonia in Wales.

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They reached their final destination peak at Snowdon in 20hours and 41minutes and have raised more than £8,750 towards Hospice at Home, Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust and Rebecca House Foundation.

’We would like to say a huge thank you to anyone who has donated to our funds over this year,’ George said.

’The support from family, friends, the community and local businesses has been phenomenal.

’Whilst having our Just Giving page, we also ran a football day out at Peel Football Club and bag pack in Ramsey Co-op to push our amount closer to our target and beyond.

George called the trek an ’enjoyable’ experience.

He said: ’All being athletic and competitive, we wanted something that we would enjoy and would be able to challenge ourselves.

’The Three Peaks Challenge and racing against a 24-hour time cap caught our attention and it was what we wanted to complete.

’With no designated support driver and being awake for over 24 hours, the drives between the mountains were definitely the most challenging part.’

The team dedicated their first climb of Ben Nevis to Hospice at Home.

Charity Hospice at Home Isle of Man had played an important role in their friend’s life - Conall Hughes, who sadly died earlier this year.

Shaun said: ’Conall was someone who was forever giving to people and would go further than most to help someone out. He was a very well-known man who was at the heart of most sports going on in Ramsey, each of us doing this challenge have at some point been mentored, motivated, taught or congratulated by Conall whether it was football, golf or darts - he would show his support regardless.’

Conall’s brother, Ciaran, explained that despite being diagnosed with cancer ’Conall continued to have a full and happy life running his business, taking holidays, doing sports and above all spending time with his family, friends wife and children’ before passing away at the age of 41.

Ciaran added that the charity had tended to his brother’s wishes as he wanted to receive care at home where he could stay close to his family.

’Our family has requested Hospice at Home as a charity for donations, as they believe that all patients should have the right to choose where they want to be,’ he said.

As well as raising funds for the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust, the Peaky Finders are planning on using some of the donations raised towards an engraved plank with Conall’s name inscribed on it, which will form part of the Ramsey pier.

George added: ’We’re a top team and can’t wait for the next opportunity to raise more money for charity.’