A quartet tackling a gruelling Lake District challenge in aid of Manorlands is stepping up its training.

The team – Ev Pritchard, his partner Jayne Harris, Jawaid Iqbal and Iain Nutter – aim to conquer 3,208ft-high Scafell Pike and kayak 20 miles across Coniston Water to raise money for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

As part of their preparations, they have climbed Pen-y-ghent – one of Yorkshire’s famous Three Peaks – and carried out other activities.

The group will tackle the energy-sapping ‘Pike & Paddle’ assault over two days, April 19 and 20.

They will take on Scafell Pike from Great Langdale, covering a route of about 11 miles. The start is at the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel.

And their kayak challenge will be launched from the Coniston Park Coppice Caravan Club site, where they will be staying.

“We’ve done various fundraising things before for Manorlands – such as the Keighley BigK 10k – but nothing on this scale,” said Mr Pritchard, 47, an out-of-hours Local Care Direct driver from Oakworth.

“We’re hoping to complete each of the Lake District challenges within about eight hours.”

The group has set up a Virgin Money Giving website for donations – virginmoneygiving.com/team/prestigepikeandpaddle – which has so far raised more than £100. Also, people can donate at the prestigedrivertraining.co.uk website.