A PAIR of Black Country adventurers took on a life-threatening challenge as they climbed the three highest peaks in the UK for Mary Stevens Hospice.

Scott Moore, aged 26, of Stourbridge, and Gornal man Rikki Theodosi, aged 35, tackled Ben Nevis, Mount Snowdon and Scafell Pike in memory of Scott’s step-dad who spent time in the hospice fighting a battle against a brain tumour.

To make it as challenging as possible, the duo took the toughest routes – mountain paths and stream climbs – on their way to each summit.

However, after climbing 1,000m up Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Great Britain – conditions took an unexpected turn for the worse and Scott and Rikki found themselves in total white-out conditions, unable to see more than a few yards in any direction.

Despite the dangerous conditions, the two climbers refused to be beaten and carefully continued on towards the summit until they happened to chance upon a professional guide leading a couple up through the snow.

The guide approached Scott and Rikki and told them bluntly that if they did not have crampons and a compass, they could die.

Luckily for the pair, two members of the guide's party had earlier withdrawn from their trek, which enabled Scott and Rikki to borrow some equipment and enlist the guide’s help to ascend the final 400m.

Engineer Scott said: “Climbing a mountain is nothing compared to the incredible work that goes on every single day at the hospice.

“Even when things got a bit rough on Ben Nevis, we knew that we couldn't let that stop us. When the patients at the hospice are faced with a difficult situation, they can't just turn back and try again another day, they have to fight and meet it head on. So giving up was never an option.

“It's just lucky that Rikki and I are on the same wave length, as it would have been far more difficult if one of us had wanted to turn back. Pete, the guide, quickly realised that we were getting up there with or without him, but we're so grateful for the help he gave us in finishing the climb, as it would have been extremely dangerous to tackle the narrower paths without him to guide us.

“It's such an amazing feeling to wake up and know you've conquered the three highest mountains in the UK, and knowing that doing so will help a family in their time of need makes it so worthwhile.

“It was an amazing thing to do with a Sunday.”

The pair have now raised £1,636 for the hospice, which also received plenty of support from Scott’s employer, Chapman's Electrical.

Amanda Bowen, community engagement officer for Mary Stevens Hospice, said: “If we'd have been up there with them at 1,000m, we'd have given them a big hug, thanked them both for the amazing thing they'd already achieved and told them to turn back and get back to the bottom safely.

“However, we weren't up there and I think that sometimes you just have to take a step back and applaud the determination, bravery and stamina it takes to do what they did.

“I think you could have dropped absolutely anything in front of them up there and they'd have found a way around it.

“They've raised an incredible amount of money for the Hospice in the most difficult of circumstances and we're so very proud of both of them.”

For more information about Mary Stevens Hospice, or to hold an event to raise money for the charity, visit www.marystevenshospice.co.uk, or call the fundraising team on 01384 377 778.