Firefighters take on Everest-style challenge

Staffordshire's Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber and colleagues are taking on the challenge on Wednesday

A fire service boss and team of firefighters are set to tackle a steep hill "numerous times" to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest.

Rob Barber and colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are to climb Mow Cop near Kidsgrove to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity on Wednesday.

As part of the service's 50th anniversary celebrations, which began last April, they set themselves the task of raising £50,000 over the course of the year.

Community engagement officer Adam Brunt said they were close to their target.

The firefighters said the steep hill was a mile tall and they aimed to beat the height of Everest as a team to raise money, including via a JustGiving page.

"It's been an unbelievable effort from so many people to raise as much money for the charity as we have so far," Mr Brunt said.

"Whether it's been at open days, car washes, individual or team challenges, everybody has gone the extra mile."

Mow Cop is renowned for being one of the steepest hills in the area, and at its top is the iconic folly Mow Cop Castle

Mr Brunt will be taking part in the Mow Cop challenge, and said they hoped to top the fundraising total as well as the hill.

Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber said the climb would be "tough" but they were always looking at ways to help communities.

"I have seen first-hand the level of support that the Fire Fighters Charity gives to so many former colleagues and their families, both in Staffordshire and across the country," he said.

"I know that our efforts are going to a worthy cause and we're doing what we can to help support those in our firefighting family."