Six businesses have raised more than £15,000 for disadvantaged Furness youngsters.

They completed a rowing and running challenge which was sponsored by BAE Systems Maritime – Submarines.

The event is a fundraiser to support the work of the Lakes based youth charity, Brathay Trust.

Brathay’s fifth Row Runner Challenge, involves teams of up to eight people in traditional whaler boats rowing to the southern end of Windermere and back as quickly as possible.

On the route, each boat must stop to allow a pair of runners to ascend and descend Latterbarrow, Gummer’s How and Wansfell, three fells that overlook the Lake, and on whose northern shore is Brathay.

Kendal’s Bluefin Insurance team was first back in eight hours and seven minutes, followed by a Centrica team from Barrow which completed the challenge in just under nine hours.

Barrow’s BAE Systems was placed third with a time of nine hours and 15 minutes.

In fourth place was Associated British Ports, with Lombard Finance in fifth and Premier Wealth Management in sixth.

The teams rowed 20 miles and the runners ascended 3,381 feet, covering more than 15 miles.

Brathay’s fundraiser Julia Wilson said: “All of the businesses have raised an incredible amount of money as a result of the challenge, almost double what they anticipated.

"It is such good news for Furness youngsters who are in need of extra support to help them in very challenging circumstances."

Ms Wilson added: "We are delighted that BAE Systems is behind this event, as a sponsor and a participant. It says a lot about how committed they are to their local community.

“The teams who took part said that it is a great fundraiser and team building event.”

Brathay Trust has been successfully improving the life chances of young people for 70 years.

In 2016, the charity worked with more than 7,000 young people providing support and development in their local communities.