A dedicated woman scaled the three highest peaks in Britain in less than 24 hours to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Kate Purvis, 28, from Weymouth, reached dizzying heights as she took on the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Dorset County Hospital’s (DCH) Cancer Appeal.

The epic resilience test saw Kate climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – on Saturday overnight to Sunday. 

She celebrated a monumental achievement as she was the second fastest of her group to complete the challenge in less than the 24 hours given.

Kate said: “I completed it in 22:37 hours and was the fastest until I hurt my knee on Snowdon.

“I have raised over £750 for the charity and it keeps going up, I am hoping to finish around the £800 mark.”

Kate endured a gruelling training regime to prepare for the big event which saw her get out of bed at six or seven in the morning to do an hour of cardio, and head back to the gym on her lunch break to undergo strength training.

She said: “I am so chuffed all the early morning and late night training has paid off.

“The views were breath-taking. We had to eat on the go as there was hardly any time to stop to refuel.

“Sleep deprivation took its toll on Scafell Pike, we did this at night and didn’t get back until three in the morning. We were climbing over boulders, through streams and although the weather was dry the ground and terrain was very slippery.

“Snowdon was the hardest as my muscles were starting to give up. The winds were strong and the rescue team had to be called out when we reached the turn point. My knee was throbbing and realising we had to come down the way we came terrified me.

“We got to the bottom and I was soaked through, I was cold and wet to the bone and my knee had completely gone.

“I received the news that I was the second fastest overall through the 24 hours and would’ve been first if not the injury slightly holding me back.

“Those 24 hours were the longest, most physically impacting but so worthy, fantastic and memorable. To do this challenge on my own has made me feel amazing.”

The Cancer Appeal is seeking to raise £1.75 million to support the provision of a new outpatient’s department. The money will provide a bespoke outpatients department on top of the radiotherapy building, as well as major improvements to the existing unit.

You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kathryn-purvis3.