Barry Grier, 24, from Tadcaster, is preparing for a gruelling Three-Lake Challenge, diving into the highest lakes in England, Scotland and Wales in just 24 hours.

Barry, an electrical engineer and ex-harrogate pupil, will be joining forces with friends Lee Feetenby, 27, and Joni Garnett, 28, all members of Cormorant Divers club where Barry is a training officer and instructor, to tackle the demanding enduring task.

The trio are hoping to raise around £1,000 for the special care baby unit at York hospital, where Lee's baby girl Laila was treated shortly after being born ten weeks early and weighing just 1lb 13oz.

Laila celebrated her second birthday yesterday after winning her fight for life and now the three friends will be looking to help support the hospital that saved her.

Barry, who was treated at York hospital as a baby himself, said: "We want to raise as much money as possible to help the baby unit.
"We are all keen divers and this is something different. Not many other have done it before.

"It is a very daunting task, and it is called a challenge for a reason. At altitude the air is thinner and the dives put your body under extreme exertion. It will be a physically and mentally tiring day, but it is for a great cause."

In fact, only former Royal Marine Monty Halls and ex-paratrooper Andy Torbert have completed the challenge before.

Barry, a former member of Tadcaster Magnets Football Club and Tadcaster Hockey Club, will begin the task by tackling Loch Coire An Lochan in the Cairngorms, starting with a 13km trek to the lake - weighed down with backpacks containing 30kg of equipment - on June 27.

The team will then drive down to Red Tarn in the Lake District for an early-morning dive before travelling to their final destination, Snowdonia's Ffynnon Lloer, and completing their three-dive mission by 3pm on June 28.

The trio have been taking part in training walks while wearing the heavy backpacks, which way just under five stone and include diving cylinders, dry suits, weight belts, safety gear and food rations.

To sponsor the group, send cheques made payable to York Special Care Baby Unit Support Group to Barry Grier at 49 Stutton Road, Tadcaster, LS24 9HE.