Nine teams from the asset finance provider Lombard have pledged to raise £45,000 for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) by taking part in the gruelling Lombard 24 Peaks Challenge in the Lake District. The teams will scale 24 peaks over 2,400 feet in 24 hours to raise money to support deaf children and their families from 7-8 June 2008. 

Three teams based at the Lombard offices at Redhill are taking part. Team leaders are Ed Tomlin, Graham Copeman and Paul Evans.

Team leader Ed Tomlin said: “We took part in the NDCS Three Peaks Challenge in 2006, and the Lombard 24 Peaks Challenge 2007. This year we have nine teams taking part so it will be a fantastic achievement when we reach the finish line knowing we’ve raised so much money for deaf children in the UK.” Team leader Graham Copeman added: “The challenge involves walking 31 miles in just one day with lengthy descents and steep ascents along the way. We know it will be tough, and we have a lot of training to do before we set off, but we’re really looking forward to supporting each other and making sure we reach the finish line in under 24 hours.”

Helen Lerwill, NDCS Head of Community and Events, explained: Every day in the UK three babies are born deaf and most are born to hearing parents with no experience of deafness. NDCS is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. Our work is funded almost entirely through public donations so our work would not be possible without the commitment of people like the Lombard teams.” 

Lombard, the UK’s leading asset finance provider is the corporate partner for this year’s event. Managing Director of Lombard, Paul Lynam explains why they have become involved. “As a leading UK employer we are keen to become a community partner as well as an economic partner in the communities that we work within. We are very impressed by the work of the NDCS and we are delighted to be involved again with this year’s event. It is great that the challenge has been so warmly embraced by our staff and we wish all of the participants well. This will be a real physical challenge for those involved but to know that the efforts of so many will make a real difference to so many lives is a fantastic incentive.”