Intrepid brothers complete challenge

Three brothers have scaled new heights in a tribute to the memory of a tragic young footballing friend.

Neil, Tom and Russell Cartwright completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young.

The intrepid trio dedicated their efforts to Matt Gadsby, Neil Cartwright's former team-mate at Hinckley United, who collapsed and died while playing in a match at Harrogate almost a year ago.

They expect to raise around £1,500 in his name for the charity which was set up to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and death in young adults.

Their father, former Coventry City star and Welsh international Les Cartwright said: "They are all fit lads and they really enjoyed it."

He and Alan Vickers, a family friend, provided the back-up as they set out to club Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Snowdon in Wales inside 24 hours.

They finished in 21 hours and 50 minutes: "Each peak took around three-and-a-half hours to climb, but there was a lot of driving to do in between," said their proud dad.

"It took five-and-a-half hours to drive from Ben Nevis to Scafell Pike and we then had to get to Snowdonia.

"Two Harrogate footballers and their physio did the Three Peaks Challenge the day before to raise money for Matt Gadsby's wife and child and there were other people doing it. There was a great camaraderie among everybody."

The brothers had been talking about tackling the three peaks for some time: "Matt's death inspired them to do it for CRY," said Les Carwright, who lives in Wolvey.

Wolvey businessmen Mick Duffy and Tom Scoffham, sponsored the petrol and other expenses and customers at the Bull's Head and the Blue Pig also supported the trio.

"They had excellent support from Wolvey," said Les Cartwright. "It was a real village effort and Frank Parker's, the butchers, also supplied the lads with food to sustain them through the trip.

"But we would like to thank everybody who helped or contributed in any way. It was wonderful and the lads said they wouldn't mind doing it again."

They are hoping to be able to hold a bucket collection at Hinckley's first home game against Worcester City and people can still donate online at

http://www.justgiving.co.uk/3brothers3peaks.