Selfless climbers scale heights for charity

EARLY today a team of Irish climbers were beginning their ascent of Scotland’s Ben Nevis.

They aim to scale the five highest Irish and British mountains inside 24 hours and raise 70,000 for the Operation Rudolph 2002 charity.

Rain delayed their planned start until 2.15am, but the 12 members were confident of returning from the 4,409 ft summit by breakfast time before their helicopter dash to Skeffel Pike in England. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Pat O’Sullivan, marketing manager of Wrangler Jeans, sponsor of the Five Peaks’ Challenge, as the team assembled in the shadow of Ben Nevis in Fort William last night.