Intrepid staff from a Lowestoft-based social enterprise have scaled new heights to raise money for charity.

Eastern Daily Press: ECCH health visitors midway through their marathon trek. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareECCH health visitors midway through their marathon trek. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

The nine staff members from East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) – which provides NHS and public health services across Norfolk and Waveney – recently completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for a Lowestoft charity which supports new babies.

Seven health visitors and two members of the Family Nurse Partnership team successfully completed the challenge in aid of Baby Basics, a volunteer-led project that provides essentials to mothers and families who are struggling financially.

Eastern Daily Press: Judith Goddard and Lesley Thompson from Baby Basics receive a cheque from ECCH’s Health Visitors and Family Nurses who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareJudith Goddard and Lesley Thompson from Baby Basics receive a cheque from ECCH’s Health Visitors and Family Nurses who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

This includes teenage mums, people seeking asylum and women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking.

The team raised £2,321 – which included a donation from ECCH – after battling wet windy weather to walk the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.

Eastern Daily Press: ECCH Children’s Services staff battle the weather to complete their charity challenge. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareECCH Children’s Services staff battle the weather to complete their charity challenge. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

These peaks form part of the Pennine range around the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

ECCH's Healthy Child Programme Lead, Kate Ryczanowski, said: 'It was a real test of our stamina and our teamwork but definitely worth it to raise much needed funds for this brilliant charity.

Eastern Daily Press: ECCH staff on their twelve hour walking challenge. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareECCH staff on their twelve hour walking challenge. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

'That's what spurred us on when the rain didn't end and we were struggling with wet feet and blisters. We had to practically crawl up the peaks at times while trying not to slip as the constant downpour turned the paths into rivers - but we made it!

'Despite a few wobbly moments we looked after each other and we're so proud that we achieved it.'

Eastern Daily Press: The elated ECCH walkers celebrate completing their challenge. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareThe elated ECCH walkers celebrate completing their challenge. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

They presented a cheque to Baby Basics at Gunton Baptist Church, where the project is based.

Baby Basics plan to use the money to buy cots and mattresses as well as smaller items like clothing and toiletries.

Eastern Daily Press: Judith Goddard and Lesley Thompson from Baby Basics receive a cheque from ECCH’s Health Visitors and Family Nurses who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Picture: East Coast Community HealthcareJudith Goddard and Lesley Thompson from Baby Basics receive a cheque from ECCH’s Health Visitors and Family Nurses who completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Picture: East Coast Community Healthcare (Image: Archant)

With ECCH headquarters based in Lowestoft.

ECCH services include district nursing, health visiting, community in-patient services, GP surgeries, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, specialist nursing care, palliative care, school nursing and health improvement services.