A COUPLE and their four huskies have completed a Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for a diabetes charity.

Cheryl Waddell and partner Sammie McCormick were joined by four-legged friends Loki, Onyx, Kiska and Ice for the 25-mile trek in Yorkshire.

Starting off at the Pen-y-gent café in Horton-in-Ribblesdale at 5.45am, they climbed Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in 11 hours, finishing the challenge at 4.30pm and raising almost £600 for Diabetes UK in the process.

Cheryl, a 30-year-old from Consett, wanted to raise awareness of the charity after supporting her sister Kelly, who was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes 11 years ago.

She said: “When Kelly was diagnosed, we didn’t fully realise how little help she received to manage her condition properly.

“We hope by supporting the work of Diabetes UK, we can ensure that others get the care they need.”

She added: “It was a fun day, although the weather did turn nasty at the top Whernside when a thunderstorm hit.

“The dogs loved it, although it was a little hard to keep up with them as they stormed ahead.”

Louise Simonian, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser said: “Taking on the Three Peaks is a tough challenge and we are so grateful to Cheryl and Sammie for all their hard work.

“The funds they have raised, will help us to support even more people living with diabetes and to raise awareness among those who have not yet been diagnosed.”