COVERING 223 miles and climbing 23 peaks in 16 days is no easy task, but a Tidworth woman is determined to complete that gruelling challenge in memory of her cousin.

Natalie Thomas, 23, from Tidworth, wants to raise money in honour of her cousin Bradley Arnold, who died in August 2007, aged six.

Bradley, who lived in Shrewton, had a congenital disorder and heart problems, and Natalie is hoping to raise money for three charities that help children like Bradley – The Children’s Heart Federation, Newlife foundation for disabled children and the Riding for the Disabled Group in Wilton.

Natalie said: “I wanted to do something to raise money for charity and I thought of the Three Peaks Challenge, then I researched it and found lots of different peak challenges and thought ‘why not combine them?’. It’s going to be quite ambitious.”

Starting in the Lake District on August 14, Natalie will climb a series of peaks, including Scafell Pike, before heading to Yorkshire for the Three Peaks Challenge then on to Wales to climb Snowdon.

She will be finishing with the Welsh 3000 Challenge, climbing 15 peaks, all over 3,000ft high, in just three days.

“It’s going to be hard, but I’m really excited. I think the 15 peaks in three days is going to be hardest bit, mentally as well as physically,” she said.

To make her mission even tougher, Natalie will be cycling between the peaks, covering up to 70 miles in a day.

Her friend Harry Eaton, 20, will be joining her for the whole challenge and other friends will take part in some stages. Two qualified mountain leaders from RAW Adventures will help navigate them through the dangerous parts of Snowdonia.

To find out more or make a donation, go to www.extremeukpeakchallenge2010.btik.com.

* Bradley’s mother Hannah Arnold is also organising a charity day at Thruxton Race Circuit on August 22 in memory of Bradley.

This will be the third year the event has been held and it has raised more than £12,000 in the past two years for Newlife, Wilton RDA and Southampton General Hospital’s children’s unit.

The event will be from 10am to 4pm and anyone who wants a sponsorship form or more information can call 01980 620286 or email hannah.arnold15@btinternet.com.