Three Warwickshire friends were among 60 intrepid fundraisers who have so far raised more than £4,400 by scaling the UK's highest peak in aid of a Warwick children's charity Molly Ollys.

Organiser Alex Myers, from Stratford, lead the group, which includes Rob Horsfall from Welford and James Lennon from Leamington, as they tackled the gruelling 4,400ft climb on Saturday.

It marked a return to the UK's highest peak for Alex who works as a personal trainer and runs The Better Man project which offers emotional and physical support for men seeking to make improvements to their life.

The 38-year-old said: "To have 60 people on the day who were willing to travel all the way to Fort William and push themselves for Molly Ollys was just incredible. There was a real mix of abilities and there were plenty of nerves and self doubt for a lot of people before the climb. But everyone was incredible and the final people had returned back within 11 hours.

"Some of the crew had to dig really deep to conquer the mountain, which was covered in snow at the top, but the challenge and aches and pains that come with it made it all that more rewarding. It was quite emotional actually watching people push through the pain. 

"But we did it and supported each other every step of the way, making sure everyone got off the mountain safely." 

Alex added: "It was a memorable weekend that forged good friendships and an incredible sense of achievement, one that was made all the better knowing that we were able to raise money for a great charity. So far we have raised over £4,400 and it's something I feel very proud to be a part of. Doing difficult things for charity has made me a better man, that's for sure." 

Despite growing up in Scotland, the 8.5-mile challenge of scaling Ben Nevis was a first for experienced climber Rob Horsfall, 45.

He took a photo of himself at the summit his six-year-old daughter Josphine had drawn for him.

He said: "I loved every minute of it! The weather was amazing and so were the other people climbing it with us. It felt really good raising money for such a worthwhile cause. Alex and I had visited Birmingham Children's Hospital a few days before which made the climb very poignant."

UK's highest peak is also a first for experienced climber, 22-year-old James Lennon, who had been stepping up his gym training ahed of the climb.

Warwick-based Molly Ollys was established following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw's eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer and marked its tenth anniversary last year.

The charity supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. It helps with emotional support and donates wishes, therapeutic toys and books to children directly and through hospitals across the UK.

Since Molly Ollys started more than £3 million has been raised to emotionally support children across the UK. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://www.mollyolly.co.uk/learn-about-donating/

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: "Upon hearing about our work at Molly Ollys , Alex said from the outset that he wanted to do something to help. It was clearly a tough challenge for many and an incredible achievement and the money that they have raised as a result is brilliant. With rises in the cost of living over the past few months these funds are much needed to enable us to continue our support for seriously ill children. A massive thankyou to everyone involved."

There is still time to sponsor the climb via: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thebetterman