An Ilkley woman celebrated her 50th birthday by joining three others to take on the 26-mile Marie Curie Cancer Care Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks Challenge.

The three friends from schooldays in Colne, with a younger sister joining them, raised £800 in sponsorship.

Jacqui McGuire, of Ilkley, a social worker at the Bradford Marie Curie Hospice, and Joanne Adams, of Newcastle, were persuaded by Susan Woodham, who is recovering from surgery for cancer, to take on this gruelling challenge. Susan’s sister, Suzy Proctor, of Colne, joined them.

The classic hike is a tough and challenging 26 miles incorporating the three highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales – Pen-y-Ghent (2,277ft), Whernside (2,415ft) and Ingleborough (2,375ft).

Jacqui said: “We decided to do the Three Peaks but decided to do an organised event so that we would receive backup and support while walking and the extra reassurance that we would be taken care of if we found the walk too difficult.

“We also knew our sponsorship would be well spent. Fortunately we all completed it with no blisters and celebrated with a well earned piece of chocolate cake and glass of champagne.”