Three peaks conquered in memory of firefighters

(from back left, clockwise) Cam Young, Rob Diton, Matt Hooper and Dan Medcalf walked up the three mountains in just over a day and were helped by Emily James (bottom left)

Four firefighters hiked up the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in full kit in memory of their two colleagues who died on duty last month.

Dan Medcalf, Matt Hooper, Rob Diton and Cam Young walked up Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon between about 05:00 BST on Friday and 06:30 on Saturday.

The quartet, who work at Whitley Wood station in Reading, said the challenge was completed in memory of Oxfordshire firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler.

They died, alongside a member of the public, Dave Chester, at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, during a major fire on 15 May.

Mr Hooper, from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the climbs were much more difficult because of the weight they were carrying.

"Luckily we didn't have any really hot temperatures," he said.

"But the moment you move in full kit with a breathing apparatus you really do start to heat up so they were very challenging climbs."

The Berkshire firefighters were supported by colleague Rhys Matthews and crew manager Emily James.

They have so far raised about £3,000, which will be split equally with the Fire Fighters Charity and Team Charlie, which raises money for children with brain tumours.