The money raised for the Andy Thomas Foundation will be used to help the charitable causes that were supported by Andy, who died aged 65 in March.
The eight-strong team completed the challenge, which involved scaling the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales, in 23 hours and two minutes.
They hope that by the time all the sponsorship comes in they will have raised £2,500 in memory of Andy, from West Bridgford, who died of cancer.
“It was our first major fund-raising event for the Andy Thomas Foundation,” said his wife Liz Thomas. “It was a magnificent effort, and I am very proud of the family and friends who took part. I’d like to thank everyone for their donations which will help us to carry on the good work that Andy felt so passionate about.”
Andy, a yoga teacher and therapist, who lived in Melton Road, loved the natural world, was passionate about spiritual development, dedicated to healing, and flexible in body and mind. He supported a number of charities and was particularly keen on sustainable living.
Before he died he was involved in a project to create a community orchard at a farm at Car Colston, near Bingham, where more than 100 new fruit trees have now been planted. The Andy Thomas Foundation plans to make its first donation to support the farm’s ‘seed to sandwich’ scheme that will educate city youngsters about farming and where food comes from.
The Three Peaks Challenge was organised by business and training consultancy firm the PDW Group, based in Colwick, which is run by Andy’s son Jim and his wife Elan, who both took part in the event, which involved scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.
They were joined by two of Andy’s other grown-up children, students Sam, 18, and Hannah, 20, as well as friends Alex Gillies-Loach, from Burton Joyce, Josh O'Dwyer, from Wollaton, Liam Malson, from West Bridgford, and Roger Harrison, from Nottingham.
“The journey was not without its complications, with the A595 from Carlisle being closed for the night and all of our legs feeling they had been beaten, but we made it through and are delighted to have raised so much money for the foundation,” said Jim, 42.
The money raised by the Three Peaks Challenge will be added to the approximately £6,000 collected for the Andy Thomas Foundation following Andy’s funeral in March and used to support a number of causes that were close to Andy’s heart.
Donations can be made via www.andythomasfoundation.co.uk
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