A GROUP of 10 friends took on a charity challenge tough enough to test those with even the greatest endurance.

Paul Bescoby was joined by Rich Flynn, Pete Flynn, Adam Kirk, Rich Thomas, Ollie Mikulskis, Ben Sebley, Ed Withey, Lizzie King and Emma Round-Turner to climb Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Slieve Donard and Carrauntoohil.

These are the highest peaks in Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland respectively and they were all tackled within 48 hours by the group, with six people from Herefordshire.

Seven completed the challenge and the support team of three helped with the driving, meal making and moral support.

“The challenge was difficult in terms of both physical and mental fatigue and we climbed over 5,000 metres and covered more than 1,700 miles in the minibus,”

said Mr Bescoby.

Money raised is being split between the Afghan Trust, the John Henry Memorial Fund and the Renton Unit in Hereford.

The trust helps soldiers and their families injured in Afghanistan and the memorial fund makes charitable donations.

Alternatively, donations can be made to Charles Renton Cancer Unit at Hereford County Hospital at justgiving.com/herefordhospitals or atwww.justgiving.com/5peakschallenge2009/