Miles Jermy A TEAM of climbers are scaling the heights of endurance with a double ascent of three of Britain's highest mountains.It will be the summit of achievement for Barry Bourton, brothers Paul and Matthew Stroud and Tim Hammel who are preparing to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden twice in the space of just around 52 hours.

Miles Jermy

A TEAM of climbers are scaling the heights of endurance with a double ascent of three of Britain's highest mountains.

It will be the summit of achievement for Barry Bourton, brothers Paul and Matthew Stroud and Tim Hammel who are preparing to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden twice in the space of just around 52 hours.

A porter at James Paget University Hospital, Barry, from Great Yarmouth, is teaming up with Paul, Matthew and Tim to complete the marathon climb which their research shows no-one has done before.

Barry, 30, was inspired by old school friend Paul to take up the challenge to raise £1,000 for cancer charity Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

The charity supports people with the bone marrow disease aplastic anaemia and undertakes research into a disease Paul's dad suffers from called mylodisplasia.

All four are currently putting in the hours getting fit for the six peak challenge, which starts on September 9.

“I have been training at the gym, running and swimming to get in shape for what is going to be a really hard slog,” said Barry.

“It was Paul's idea to climb each mountain twice; he is a bit crazy and quite stubborn and managed to persuade us to go along with it.

“We hope doing this will attract a bit of attention and enable us to raise a bit extra for a very good cause.

“Matthew is quite an experienced mountaineer and the rest of us try and go on a climbing expedition once a year.

“Pushing all the beds around the hospital keeps me fit and I enjoy playing football and basketball so hopefully I can take this in my stride.”

First up the team are heading north of the border to tackle Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis, then putting the climbing boots back on again with the guys moving on to the Lake District to double climb England's tallest peak Scafell Pike.

Finally they will be dragging their weary legs up twice up Mount Snowden in North Wales, completing a total knee trembling ascent of 22,356ft and 56 miles of walking.

To sponsor the challenge go online at www.justgiving.com/double3peaks.