The trio are currently in training for the 100-mile Dales Way, which they are tackling in May, in aid of Riverside School.

Not only are Jenny Ogilby, Liz Roffey and Julie Broadley going to walk the Way, between Ilkley in the Yorkshire Dales and Bowness on Lake Windermere in Cumbria, but they have set themselves the target of completing it in just five days.

They will be staying at hostels along the route and will need to cover up to 24 miles on some days between stop-offs but it will mean they can lighten their load by not carrying tents.

After staying at a hostel near the Ribblehead Viaduct, in the Yorkshire Dales, they will climb Whernside, one of the famous Three Peaks.

The route will take them through some spectacular scenery, including Wharfedale, Dentdale and the foothills of Cumbria.

It will also take them across Oughtershaw Moss which, Jenny says, is extremely bleak.

"I walked there on my own last year; it was raining and it was really desolate," she said. It is also reputed to be the home of two ghosts - a white dog, called Gerry and t'owd joiner, who has never been seen but has been heard hammering along a former Roman road.

The friends, who all live in Hook, have been training for the challenge by walking in the Yorkshire Wolds.

Liz and Jenny are members of Goole Mountaineering Club which is supporting their fundraising efforts.

Liz's daughter, Somer Derby (11), is in Year 7 at Riverside School, where headteacher Richard Barcynski said the money raised would be used to fund a range of activities for the 90 pupils with a range of complex special needs and learning difficulties.

"I am quite delighted this is happening. As a special school our funding is very limited and we would love to be able to offer extra activities, such as educational trips to the theatre and other places, as well as residential trips," he said.

Collecting buckets for the walk are placed at the Sotheron Arms, in Hook, as well as other local pubs and donations can be made at Broadleys Printers, on Kingsway, at the Courier, on Pasture Road and at the school, on Ainsty Street, off Hook Road.