AFTER conquering the three peaks, Dave Burnham and his friends were looking for a new charity challenge.

So they invented their own — and tomorrow the team say they will be the first to undertake the three lakes challenge and row across three of the biggest lakes in Britain in less than a day.

Mr Burnham, aged 59, and his friends will start by rowing the length of Loch Lomond in a 40ft boat; then travel south to tackle Lake Windermere in the Lake District; and finish their challenge by gliding across Bala Lake in Snowdonia on Friday.

They will row a total of 40 miles and hope to raise thousands of pounds for Parkinsons Disease and Motor Neurone Disease charities.

Mr Burnham, who is head of information services at Lancashire County Council and lives in Harwood, said: “Seeing two dear friends die at the hands of crippling diseases is a sobering thought so we set ourselves the challenge to leave the comfort of our desk jobs and set about raising money for these less well known, yet very worthwhile charities.

“In 2007, we conquered the three peaks in 24 hours and raised £5,000 so we thought what else can a bunch of old timers do to show others that endurance is not just for the young?” he said.

“We don’t think it has ever been done before but we are quite determined. As well as needing strength, rowing requires persistence and technique.

“Unfortunately, we decided we were going to do it before we knew what it involved.”

The average age of the rowers, who include a policeman, an architect and a university lecturer, is 55 and they went about the task of learning to row in a typical professional fashion, training each weekend since September at the Salford Quays-based Agecroft Rowing Club.

Their dedication so impressed coaches Ryan Hartlen and Scott Bembridge, both Salford University students, that they agreed to help them and accompany them on the adventure.

The team are already considering what their next challenge could be.

“Someone said it is either caves or bicycles and I loathe both so we will have to think of something else,” said Mr Burnham.

Sponsor the team by visiting justgiving.com/ Davidburnham