From Louise Raymond, Exeter 383578, June 10, 2008

A GROUP of young people from Tavistock have set themselves the challenge of attempting to climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in three days.

Next month a dozen young people aged between 14 and 17-years, along with three leaders from Devon County Council's Youth Service aim to climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis on three consecutive days. The young people successfully applied for a small grant from the Devon Youth Opportunity Fund to help them realise their project and will be contributing towards the overall cost themselves.

The youngsters are part of the Tavistock Adventure Group - a Devon Youth Service project that provides a programme of exciting and challenging outdoor education opportunities available to young people living in the Tavistock area.

The group meets regularly and activities include caving, climbing, kayaking, mountain biking and walking and camping on the moors. For the young people aged between 13 and 19 that take part, there is the chance to learn new skills, gain outdoor qualifications, and take part in adrenaline activities in a safe and managed situation supported by qualified instructors and youth workers.

Jonathan Scott, Senior Area Youth Worker said: "This is a great idea the young people have come up with, and a real challenge to climb all three mountains consecutively. The young people have been working well together on the training walks on the moors, getting fit and learning about navigation for the mountains. I'm sure they will give everything they can to get to the tops and reach their goal."

Local Tavistock outdoor shop Kountry Kit is supporting the young people by providing base layer clothing and the group plan to raise money for the Cornish Shelterbox charity that specialises in sending relief to disaster areas in the form of boxes of tents, bedding and cooking equipment.

The challenge takes place between Monday 28 July and Friday 1 August.

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, Cllr John Smith, said: "This exciting challenge is one of the many activities our youth service is pleased to provide, to help young people learn new skills, build confidence and self esteem and be part of a team.

"I would like to wish the youth workers and the young people involved all the very best in successfully completing this challenge."

Ends

Note to News eds:

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Thursday, July 3, at 3.30pm, at Tavistock College, where the young people will be embarking on their training walk on Dartmoor.

Cllr John Smith can be contacted on 01626 772223.

For further information contact Jonathan Scott - Senior Area Youth Worker on 01752 893498.