A PAIR of charities have received a windfall of cash thanks to the fundraising efforts of staff at an Oldbury chemicals firm.

A 24-member team of Solvay Oldbury recently completed a gruelling 24-mile trek, incorporating more than 5,200ft of climbing, to conquer the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

In just under 12 hours, the staff, their family and friends, climbed the three highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales – Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – to raise £6,000 for Cancer Research UK and BUDS (Better Understanding of Dementia for Sandwell).

Alison Pugh, general manager of BUDS, recently visited Solvay Oldbury to receive a cheque from the team, which had also boosted its fundraising achievements with donations made via the charity box in the firm's canteen and a collection box on the site.

A cheque was also recently presented to Victoria Roberts, local fundraising manager at Cancer Research UK.

Vic Walters, a member of the Solvay team that completed the challenge, said: “Conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks was a fantastic experience, made all the better by our efforts raising money for two incredibly worthy causes.

“We are very grateful to everyone who supported our efforts, especially those who made donations.”