A TRIATHLON triumph has brought in £2,500 for our Hospice 2000 Appeal.

The gruelling two-day challenge for a hardy and determined group from BAE Systems (York) proved a particularly poignant occasion, as it followed on shortly from the announcement of the closure of the branch at the end of next month.

But the Sutton-on-the-Forest employees were undaunted and determined to back St Leonard's Hospice.

A group of 14 participants and two supporters, all aged between 32 and 63, set off into the Dales on July 7 to walk, cycle and canoe the 62-mile journey back to York.

Alan Phillips, purchasing co-ordinator at Sutton and organiser of the challenge, said: "We wanted to do something special for the hospice and to inspire as many people in the branch as possible to take part, so we came up with the idea of three types of challenge in one event, giving people the choice of what to do.

"Ten of the 14 - men and women - tackled all three stages, and others two each."

The walk from Settle to Grassington was 16 miles and took in the climb up Gordale Scar, near Malham. The cycle ride was 35 miles from Grassington to Boroughbridge. Then, as quality manager Tim Scott wrote in his account of the challenge: "We thought canoeing the 11 miles from Boroughbridge to York would be the easy stage, sitting in the canoe and drifting down the river.

"But after four hours of cramp in legs, aching arms, chests and backs we limped into York with huge sighs of relief!

"Despite the hardships and pain, however, this stage turned out to be the best in terms of working together. We started and finished as a group with a great deal of laughter on the way."

As part of its support for hospices nationally BAE Systems covered all the costs of the event, as well as matching the amount raised.