By Linzi Watson

Last updated at 17:08, Friday, 16 September 2011

A group of vets have taken part in a gruelling challenge to raise more than £2,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

From left, Colin Lindsay, Ellie McLean, John Sheppard, Fiona Thurlbeck, Kathryn Sharpe and Dan Lewis

The five veterinary surgeons and a veterinary nurse from Capontree veterinary Centres in Brampton and Longtown came together to test their endurance to the limit with the Coniston Challenge on Saturday.

To complete the test, the team took on a 10km hike up the Old Man of Coniston, a 17km bike ride around Grizedale Forest and a 3km kayak on Coniston Water.

Vet Dan Lewis, who is based at the Brampton practice, led the team.

Also taking part was Colin Lindsay, vet and practice director, Longtown-based vet John Sheppard, Kathryn Sharpe and Ellie McLean who are both vets based in Brampton, and vet nurse Fiona Thurlbeck.

Dan said: “It was really tough. The weather was quite variable on the day so we had to cope with everything from zero visibility on the hill, to choppy water, driving rain on the bike ride and then clear blue skies.”

The group has raised £1,900 of a £2,500 target.

Working together at the vet practice, the team already knew each other well but walked around Talkin Tarn before the main event.

Dan added: “The challenge is not a race but competitors log their times.

“We managed to complete the challenge in five hours and 15 minutes – coming 11th out of 45.”

Dan added: “We chose to support guide dogs because the life-changing independence their work gives to thousands of blind and partially-sighted people is amazing.”

To support the team visit www.justgiving.com/dan-lewis2011.

First published at 14:05, Friday, 16 September 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk