AHPs’ Day: Students take on three peaks challenge to raise funds for limb loss charity

Students from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Prosthetics and Orthotics have raised over £1,300 for charity, LimbPower, after completing the ‘Yorkshire Three Peaks’ challenge.

The group of twelve students from the universities of Salford, Strathclyde, Imperial College and Southampton joined together for the hike of 24 miles (38.6km), including 1585m (5200ft) of ascent. The team completed the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough within 12 hours. 

LimbPower was launched in November 2009 to engage amputees and individuals with limb impairments in physical activity, sport and the arts to improve quality of life and to aid lifelong rehabilitation. 

Student Kirsty Carlyle said: “Some students did feel quite nervous and unprepared, but everyone powered through and completed the challenge as promised. We got lucky with the weather which helped, and all motivated each other throughout. 

“We’re really proud to have raised £1,325 for LimbPower, 265% of our initial target! We’re looking forward to planning more fundraising and awareness events in the future as a group.”

The CDT is set to train up to 60 individuals to doctoral level over the next eight years to address the skills gap at home and abroad. The centre combines expertise from the University of Salford, Imperial College London, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Southampton, with more than 25 global industry partners and national facilities.