A doctor from Spa Medical Centre has completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge, raising over £11,000 and collecting hundreds of pairs of underwear for women in need.
Dr Claire Rigby joined seven other women for the ‘Peaks in Pants’ challenge, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – in under 24 hours, to support the charity Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist.
The charity, launched in 2022, provides new underwear to vulnerable women, including those who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence or living as refugees. “You can’t donate second-hand underwear,” explained Claire. “So this charity helps women who often only have what they’re wearing.”
Speaking after the challenge, Claire said, “I am aching all over but I am on cloud nine. It felt great in the end and we’ve raised over £11,000 for Let’s Get Our Knickers in a Twist – and we have a mountain of pants!”
The Three Peaks Challenge is considered one of the toughest outdoor events in the UK, with hikers tackling Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m), and Yr Wyddfa (1,085m), usually within 24 hours.
“It was really hard work; it was painful, but we stuck together and did it as a group,” Claire said. “We all feel an enormous sense of achievement. At the top of Ben Nevis, it was about -10°C – reaching the summit felt just fabulous.”
In line with the challenge’s name, the group changed into sparkly golden pants at the top of each peak. “We had lots of questions at the top of each mountain,” said Claire. “That led to plenty of donations from people who were really interested in what we were doing.
“We’ve all trained really hard over the last five months, and it was lovely to be part of a team of women trying to help other women.”
Claire joined Spa Medical Centre in 2004 as a partner and continues to work there as a locum. “It’s such a fantastic service at Spa Medical Centre – I still love going back,” she added.
Pictured: Dr Claire Rigby, second from the right, celebrating after completing the Three Peaks Challenge
