Vikki Smith - nervous, anxious, scared, but victorious on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge

Vikki Smith competed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge

Vikki Smith entered the Yorkshire Three Peaks on Saturday (August 12) partly due to family connections to the Armed Forces, and because she thought she would “support them for a change”.

The 37-year-old from Rochdale had climbed Mount Snowdon in the weeks before the 26-mile challenge, overcoming minor fears in reaching the top of Wales’ highest peak.

Vikki said that she had always wanted to enter an event like the Yorkshire Three Peaks since she was a child, and had been partly influenced because of Help for Heroes’ support of a relative.

She said: “This is the first time that have fundraised for Help for Heroes. The associated fundraising groups have been very supportive with a family member, so it felt like it was the natural thing to do.

“Without the charity, he would not be here now.”

Vikki was originally meant to take part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks with a friend, but was forced into the position of having to climb the three mountains by herself when the friend pulled out.

Before the start of the trek, she said: “I am a bit nervous; the last week has been very stressful, but it is now here.”

Vikki crossed the finishing line exhausted in the evening, and was welcomed by her family who had come up to watch her complete a monumental and fatiguing achievement.