Three Peaks Challenge raises £15,000 for Derian House

By Tim Aldred

31 Jul 2023

Derian House Three Peaks Challenge

A walking challenge which drew 80 participants and more than 100 supporters has raised £15,000 for Derian House Children’s Hospice.

The Three Peaks Challenge was orchestrated by James Macaree, managing director of Burnley-based Ring Stones, who undertook the walk to celebrate the life of his son, Jake.

Derian House Children’s Hospice began supporting Jake, who was born with a rare genetic condition that affects only one in 100,000 children, when he was just two weeks old, as well as providing support for his family.

Jake spent his final days at the hospice and laid at rest in one of the hospice’s Sunflower Rooms.

James, along with Jake's mother Lauren, older brother Lewis and 80 more hikers, undertook the trek over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

James said: “All of this was for Jake. The idea began with Ring Stones, but several other companies of the Calico Group took part and the event just got bigger.

"There were 80 of us hiking but another 100 people came along to support us and hand out refreshments. It was a very emotional day for us all. It was incredible to see everyone come together for Jake.”

The Chorley-based children’s hospice cares for 400 babies, children and families each year.

Ann-Marie Fishwick, community fundraiser at Derian House, said: "What a perfect way to remember an incredibly brave little boy.

"Thank you to Lauren, James, and the team from Ring Stones and the Calico Group for going above and beyond – not only have they raised vital funds to care for families like theirs, but they have also raised awareness of what we do and the impact it has.

“While care is free for families, it will cost £6m to run services at Derian House in 2023. We rely on the generosity of our kind-hearted supporters for 70p in every £1.”

Jake

Jake Macaree was born with a rare genetic condition that affects only one in 100,000 children.

Lauren Macaree said: "Jake was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, a set of rare brain disorders where the whole or parts of the surface of the brain appear smooth. Because of this, Jake suffered many seizures and was in and out of hospital during his short life.

“At Derian House we were able to swim together in the hydrotherapy pool. Jake loved water. He had so much joy when in the pool and it meant that we could spend quality time as a family. We had fun at playgroup and in the messy play room. We loved music therapy, relaxing in the sensory room and watching films together in the cinema. We even went on holiday in one of Derian’s holiday lodges. All of those moments are so important for us now.

“We spent Jake's final days at the hospice and there was honestly nowhere else we would have rather been. Jake rested in a hospice Sunflower Room and we had more time to say goodbye. Casts of Jake’s hands, fingerprints and feet were made for us – so that we could remember him.

"Derian helped us make special memories that you wouldn't get anywhere else. At the worst possible time in our lives, Derian was there. Once you are part of Derian you are a part for life. They throw their arms around you if you want it. And if you don't, it's there when you are ready - nothing is ever too much.”

When asked about the Three Peaks Challenge, Lauren said: “It was an exciting day. Someone described it as feeling as sense of “togetherness” – which I felt was right. All of those people came together for Jake.

“The challenge was hell, but we did it. We did it for Jake – our beautiful boy and amazing little fighter. Towards the end of the hike we felt very emotional. My mum brought Lilly to meet us at the end. There was no better feeling than that. Thank you to everyone that did it with us, who supported us. Thank you for your donations to the charity that cared for our family. It all means the world to us.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin