Devastating loss of a parent was boyhood pals' spur to tackle fundraising challenge for Pendleside Hospice

Four friends, united by the tragedy of losing a parent, have completed a fundraising challenge for Pendleside Hospice.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Matt Simm, Luke and Niall Ormerod and Josh Nutter did the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge on Sunday in eight hours, 56 minutes, a great achievement considering none of them did any training or preparation!

Matt said: "None of us are that fit either but the cause got us over the line in the end."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Friends since they were 14 the lads, all now in their 30s, have each suffered devastating loss.

Pictured celebrating their successful completion of the Yorkshire Three Peaks are (left to right) Holly Beresford, Daniel Simm, Niall Ormerod, Pete Simm (standing)  Gareth Jones,  Luke Ornerod (holding a picture of his dad Bob) Josh Nutter( with a picture of his mum Jayne) David Boys,  Matt (with a picture of his dad Paul) and Nick Holroyd.

Peter Simm, Nick Holroyd, Gareth Jones, David Boys, Daniel Simm and Holly Beresford.Pictured celebrating their successful completion of the Yorkshire Three Peaks are (left to right) Holly Beresford, Daniel Simm, Niall Ormerod, Pete Simm (standing)  Gareth Jones,  Luke Ornerod (holding a picture of his dad Bob) Josh Nutter( with a picture of his mum Jayne) David Boys,  Matt (with a picture of his dad Paul) and Nick Holroyd.

Peter Simm, Nick Holroyd, Gareth Jones, David Boys, Daniel Simm and Holly Beresford.
Pictured celebrating their successful completion of the Yorkshire Three Peaks are (left to right) Holly Beresford, Daniel Simm, Niall Ormerod, Pete Simm (standing) Gareth Jones, Luke Ornerod (holding a picture of his dad Bob) Josh Nutter( with a picture of his mum Jayne) David Boys, Matt (with a picture of his dad Paul) and Nick Holroyd. Peter Simm, Nick Holroyd, Gareth Jones, David Boys, Daniel Simm and Holly Beresford.

Luke and Niall's dad, Robert Harris died in November, 2018, aged 71 and in February last year Josh lost his mum, Jayne Ann Nutter. She was just 45.

And Matt's dad, Paul Simm, who was known to many people in Burnley and Pendle as Zac, died at the age of 56 in August, 2019. Matt and Josh live in Burnley and Luke and Niall are from Barrowford.

Matt added: "We all grew up together and it seems quite unique for such a small group of friends to have suffered so much."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The four were not alone in their quest as they were joined by friends and family Peter Simm, Nick Holroyd, Gareth Jones, David Boys, Daniel Simm and Holly Beresford. Setting off from the Golden Lion pub in Horton in Ribblesdale the team returned there at the end of the challenge where they were joined by several more well wishers for a couple of well earned pints.

The challenge was Luke's idea as a way of thanking staff and volunteers at the hospice for their care and dedication. After setting a target of £500, the lads smashed that by raising £1,000 so now they have set a new target of £1,500.

If you would like to donate please click HERE.