STAFF at the Cock o’ Budworth will need to lay-off the pork scratchings if they want to be fit for their latest challenge.

The Cheshire Pub Company, who operate the Cock o’ Budworth, have pledged their support to children’s charity NSPCC in 2023, and this will include a mammoth 13.6-mile classic hill walk which includes climbing Cheshire's three highest peaks, all in a single day. 

Set in the high country on the western edge of the Peak District National Park, the Cheshire Three Peaks Challenge is a circular route taking in Tegg’s Nose (350m), Shining Tor (559m), and Shutlingsloe (506m).

The challengers will set off at around 8am on Monday, September 11, and it will take them approximately eight hours, assuming they don’t get tied up at an impromptu bar conference at many hillwalkers' favourite pub, The Cat and Fiddle, which lies conveniently on the route.  

Chester and District Standard: It's the combination of the distance and the height that's the real killerIt's the combination of the distance and the height that's the real killer (Image: Cheshire Pub Co.)

Cheshire Pub Company’s head of brand and communication, Jenny Bufton, said: "We employ quite a lot of students and younger people, and some of them seem to think they'll be able to take take this in their stride. 

"I think they're in for a bit of surprise. It's the combination of the height and the distance - not to mention the peat bogs - that's the real killer.

“We’d be nothing without the support of our customers, so every year, we allocate time to fundraising for great causes which make a difference to our local towns and villages.

“After working alongside the NSPCC’s dedicated Cheshire events team in 2022, their warm hearts, organisation skills and drive to raise awareness of issues affecting children has been a huge inspiration to our team.

“What we raise will go towards services such as Childline, which receives a call from a child in need every 25 seconds.

"It costs the NSPCC about £4 for every call they receive, and the service really does save lives."

As well as the Cock o’ Budworth team, staff from the company’s seven other pubs are invited to take part in the challenge, including the Space Invader in Goostrey and the Frozen Mop in Mobberley.  

The challenge involves climbing all three of Cheshire’s highest peaks, which together total 1,415 metres, more than Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis.  

Jenny added: “We understand times are tough, but the team at Cheshire Pub Company, the NSPCC, and ultimately the children’s lives you improve will be so grateful for whatever people can spare.

"Just the price of a pint could make all the difference to a child’s life."

If you would like to donate, you can do so through the company's JustGiving page.