The teenagers gather on the path leading up Pen-y-ghent. Photo: YDNPA

A group of teenagers helped repair a Yorkshire Dales hillside footpath – then tackled a sponsored walk up the fell to help future conservation work.

The group of young people endured sunshine, wind and rain as they shovelled tonnes of aggregate on the path going up Pen-y-ghent and then spread it over the worn surface.

The following day, they raised £385.50 for the Three Peaks Project in sponsorship when they walked up the fell, which is used by thousands of people each year as part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

The group was part of the National Citizenship Service, a scheme open to all 16- and 17-year-olds in England that helps them develop skills for work and life, while taking on new challenges and meeting new friends.

The weekend session was organised by Kabeer Bostan from Mosaic, a project that is raising awareness among 16 to 25-year-olds about the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales through free training and taster days.

Bethany McInerny, who was one of the group members, said: “I think we worked well as a team, and everyone stuck together when we were going up Pen-y-ghent.”

Steve Hastie, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Three Peaks area ranger, and Pennine Way ranger Colin Chick spent the day with the volunteers.

Mr Hastie said: “They worked really hard and most of them said they would like to return to the national park to do more walking and conservation work. In fact, more than half of them said they would like to go up all three peaks.

“The footpath network does come in for some heavy punishment each year and we rely on the people who generously give their time and money or supply materials to help maintain the paths for everyone’s enjoyment.”

The teenagers came from communities including Skipton, Wigglesworth, Sutton in Craven, Haworth, Burton in Lonsdale, Silsden and Cross Hills.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge involves walking the 39km (24-mile) route over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a target time of 12 hours or less.