Porterbrook has offered its congratulations to everyone who took part in and completed the Railway Children Three Peaks by Rail 2026, which the rolling stock company sponsored.

220 people took part in this year’s event, which challenges participants to scale the highest mountains in Wales (Snowdon), England (Scafell Pike) and Scotland (Ben Nevis).

People from 36 different companies took part, and so far have raised more than £215,000 for the Railway Children charity, with this figure expected to rise. Two years ago, two separate Three Peaks challenges were held, one each in May and June, and raised £262,000 for the charity, which provides help and support for vulnerable children and young people on the railway network.

As well as coping with the effort required to climb the three mountains, participants also had to deal with a heatwave and with snow! The challenge ended at the summit of Ben Nevis on Saturday 27 June.

Last year, Avanti West Coast was one of several railway companies whose employees took part in the fundraising effort.

The Railway Children charity has already opened applications to take part in next year’s Three Peaks by Rail fundraising challenge. The event train will travel from Crewe to Snowdown on the evening of Thursday 25 June. After climbing Snowdon overnight, participants will then travel to Ravenglass to climb Scafell Pike, then the train will take them on an overnight journey to Fort William to climb Ben Nevis.

Teams of four people are eligible to take part, and will pay a registration fee and commit to a minimum fundraising amount.

“Three Peaks by Rail is always a highlight in the calendar, and Porterbrook is proud to sponsor the event again for the seventh year running. For everyone who took part, well done for stepping up for this tough but rewarding challenge to raise vital funds for Railway Children.

“Ending street life for vulnerable children everywhere is something we all feel deeply committed to, and you’ve played an important role in that with your perseverance on the mountains. Well done!”

Mary Grant, Chief Executivee Officer, Porterbrook