An intrepid team of walkers is set to take on the daunting challenge of climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales - in just 24 hours.

Staff at Thomas Graham decided to set themselves a challenge to mark the company's 125th anniversary, while raising vital funds for a cause close to their hearts.

The 23-strong group, made up of Thomas Graham employees and their friends and family, are aiming to raise £2,500 for Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice.

The National Three Peaks Challenge entails about 24 miles of walking, more than 3,400m of ascent and 11 hours on the road - and very little sleep.

Starting at Ben Nevis in Scotland, the group will make their way back to Cumbria to tackle England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, which is 978m, before trekking 1,085m up Snowdon in Wales.

And with little over a week to go before they reach the foot of Ben Nevis, which stands at 1,345m, they're getting in their last few training walks.

IT manager Ewan Parish said: "The team have been training hard, mainly in the Lakes, using the likes of Blencathra, Helvellyn and Skiddaw to try and prepare ourselves for the challenge.

"We’ve been fundraising on the lead up to the challenge, holding a cake sale and car wash at our recent VAT free day.

"There’s been some really great support so far from suppliers and local customers, hopefully we can push on with that and reach our target for Jigsaw."

The idea came about when Vicki Todhunter, of TG's steel department, heard how her friends were taking on the Three Peaks to raise money for five-year-old Bianca Tabarda (CORR) , of Carlisle, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last August.

That group hopes to raise enough money to make the little girl's dream of going to Disneyland come true.

Bianca will be cheering on the groups at the bottom of Scafell Pike.

"With it being our 125th anniversary at Thomas Graham's this year, we really wanted to do something for a local charity close to our heart," explained Vicki.

"Personally I am particularly nervous and excited to do this challenge, but I know that raising a good sum for Jigsaw will get me and our team up those mountains."

She added that they were getting a lot of support from staff members who aren’t walking, but will be driving and are helping with fundraising.

"It’s been a real TG staff effort," she said.

It was back in 1892 when Thomas Graham set up a small ironmongers shop and steel warehouse in Carlisle's Lowther Street.

Over the past 125 years the business has grown significantly, opening branches in Egremont, Kendal and Morecambe and most recently relocation its head office from Shaddongate to Kingmoor in 2014.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomas-grahams.