Man climbs height of Everest for climate change

Chris Horan completed the challenge to raise money for Friends of the Earth

A man has climbed the equivalent height of Mount Everest to raise awareness of climate change.

Chris Horan, 44, from Corfe Mullen, Dorset, climbed a total of 8,849m (29,032ft) over 140 consecutive days, raising over £1,700 for environmental organisation Friends of the Earth.

He finished his challenge on Thursday and said it was "very nice" to reach the finish line.

"My elbows are very sore, so I really do need a rest," he said.

Mr Horan did a combination of indoor and outdoor climbing

Mr Horan said he had always liked climbing because it is "really nice to do with your family".

He climbs frequently with his children, aged eight and 10.

"I did the climbing as a family activity and obviously the climate change thing is all about the concern for... future generations," he said.

"The whole climate thing is because of them."

His challenge started with an aim to climb 1.48km (1 mile), to "represent the 1.48 degrees hotter it was in 2023" than the long-term average.

"Then I climbed the height of Everest as a continuation [of that]," he said.

Mr Horan said his elbows and fingers hurt after 140 days of climbing

He did his final climb in Portland, Dorset, on Thursday, and then went to a Nepalese restaurant with his family to celebrate.

On Friday - the first day since February that he had not been climbing - he said he was "not sure what to do with myself".

But he admitted his body could probably do with the rest.

"I can only sleep in one way - face down with my arms at my side, otherwise my elbows hurt," he said.

Despite that, he said he would probably go climbing at the weekend.

"I still love it," he said.