September 6, 2013 2.14 pm This story is over 126 months old

The Fellowship of the Ring embarks from Lincoln council

Lords of the charity rings: Council staff has embarked on an adventure over tough terrain, battling harsh weather — all in the name of charity.
Treebeard (James Straw), Legolas (David Lake), Gandalf (Ed Treasure), Frodo (James Chapman), Mayor Cllr Pat Vaughan and Adie Hickling. Photo: Stuart Wilde

A fellowship of council staff has embarked on an adventure over tough terrain and battling harsh weather — all in the name of charity.

James Chapman, Ed Treasure, James Straw and David Lake from the City of Lincoln and North Kesteven’s shared benefits team will be tackling the tackling the 10 peaks challenge on September 7 dressed as characters from Lord of the Rings in order to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

In addition to being the Mayor of Lincoln, Patrick Vaughan’s nominated charity this year, the team are raising it in tribute to former colleague Adie Hickling who suffers from the condition.

Frodo, Gandalf, Tree Beard and Legolas will take on 10 of the Lake District’s toughest peaks in the space of 24-hours.

Ed said: ““We chose the fancy dress theme to make things harder, get us noticed along the way and to raise more money.

““We all have characteristics of our fancy dress characters: James Chapman chose Frodo because he already has hobbit hair; I am old and losing my hair, so the excuse to wear a Gandalf wig is a bonus; James S is lanky and a bit wooden so he makes a great tree and David has many strings to his bow and attracts the ladies, the perfect Legolas.

““Over the last few weeks we have climbed Snowdon and Ben Nevis as training. We know this is going to be a tough one but it’s a worthy charity and hopefully this will raise awareness about a terrible disease that has affected a close friend.””

James Chapman added: “”Ed lies, I shave my feet twice a day, they are really quite smooth…, but he is right about himself not having much hair and that this is a great cause. We really hope that with everyone’s support we can raise some money for a charity we all believe in and for people who really do deserve it.””

The fancy-dressed foursome hope to raise £1,000 for the charity by completing the event.

In addition to the fearless foursome tackling the 10 peak challenge, staff at the City of Lincoln Council are also holding a dress down day today to help raise more cash for the charity.