A Harrogate teenager has completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge and raised more than three times her original target.

Leah Gresty climbed the mammoth Three Peaks with her partner in under 11 hours earlier this month, leaving more than an hour to spare.

She was raising money for the UK Sepsis Trust in memory of her grandmother who died of sepsis last September.

Her grandmother Elizabeth Simmonite was a former butcher and baker on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate.

Leah raised £1,115, more than double her original £300 goal. She hopes that her challenge will also hope to spread awareness of the disease.

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The Three Peaks challenge involves climbing Pen-Y-Ghent, Whemside and Ingleborough peaks in under 12 hours.

Leah said:

“It was even harder than I anticipated. It was my first big hike and I hadn’t trained at all so it was very challenging.”

“The third peak was definitely the hardest as we were already exhausted.”

Sepsis is a blood infection which is responsible for 48,000 deaths every year in the UK.

Leah is still accepting donations on her JustGiving page.

A Harrogate teenager will attempt to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks in December as a tribute to her grandmother, who died of sepsis.

Leah Gresty undertook the challenge, which will raise money for the UK Sepsis Trust, in honour of Elizabeth Simmonite, who died on September 29. 

Elizabeth was a former butcher and baker on Knaresborough Road, Harrogate.

Leah said:

“She always liked being with nature and going for walks, so it seemed quite fitting, and it’s something that she would have liked to do herself.” 

Leah’s grandmother, Elizabeth, enjoying the outdoors

There are about 48,000 deaths from sepsis every year in the UK. 

Early diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates. Leah, who has so far raised more than £500, hopes her challenge will spread the message.

The tough Three Peaks challenge involves climbing Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in less than 12 hours – a particularly difficult feat in the darkness of winter.

You can donate here to Leah’s JustGiving fundraising page.

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How to spot Spesis:

Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It happens when your immune system starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs, causing organ failure and death if not treated quickly. 

www.nhs.uk advises you to call 999 or visit A&E if an adult or older child experiences any of these symptoms: 

• Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense. 
• Blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
• A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it.
• Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast.