TWO of the three island policemen taking part in a challenge to scale Britain’s three highest peaks in 24 hours have achieved their aim. Nigel Taylor, 38, and Chris Freeman, 56, jogged down Snowdon yesterday afternoon, finishing their task in 23 hours and 31 minutes.

Cedric Morgan, 52, had to pull out because of back problems, having scaled Ben Nevis and attempted part of Scafell Pike.

‘We’re absolutely exhausted but obviously very happy that we’ve done it,’ said Mr Taylor.

‘Cedric unfortunately had to pull out because he was in a lot of pain. He is recovering now. We’re all walking around nursing aches and pains.’

The challenge – which comprised 10 hours of driving and 14 of climbing – proved tricky in places. At the top of Ben Nevis and Scafell, visibility fell to about 30ft in the cloud base and they had to find their way using GPS.

Mr Taylor said the most striking part of the challenge was the ‘awesome nature’.

‘These mountains are indescribably massive and beautiful. They just keep going. You think you get to the top and then there’s another 1,000ft.

‘What nature has placed there is something you don’t get a scale of in Guernsey.’

Months of training and a sleepless 24 hours paid off as Mr Taylor and Mr Freeman came down the last stretch of Snowdon to be greeted by their support team.

‘We were absolutely elated and physically exhausted. We’d gone through our reserves and it was down to grit and determination that we kept going,’ said Mr Taylor.

‘We’re now going for a bar lunch and an early night.’

He was pleased that he had accomplished the physical feat while raising money for the local branch of the NSPCC. This, he said, was a constant source of motivation for him and his colleagues.

‘It was nice to know that that was there.’

The challenge could not have been accomplished without the support team, who drove throughout the night to get the three walkers to each peak.

‘They’ve been absolutely brilliant. They were looking after us and making sure we could go to the next mountain. They did a magnificent job. It’s been a team effort and without them we couldn’t have done it.’

Completing the challenge means that the NSPCC is likely to receive about £5,000. Although happy with the result, Mr Taylor made a plea for more sponsorship.

* Anyone who would like to donate should contact Guernsey NSPCC executive chairman Chris Oliver on 739200 or 07781 100502 or by email at chriso@itex.gg

Donations can also be made by contacting the walkers at the police station on 725111.