A MAN completed a gruelling mountain climbing challenge in just over 18 hours last weekend.

Ben Wright, from Barrow, set out on the National Three Peaks Challenge-which sees participants ascend Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon- at the crack of dawn on Saturday, July 24 to raise money for Make A Wish Foundation.

“It’s a charity I’ve loved for a few years now,” he said.

“I like the work they do and wanted to support them.”

Company Charity Challenge, who Mr Wright did the challenge with, said he had achieved the fastest time at 18 hours and 32 minutes.

The BAE worker, alongside 29 others, began his mountain mission in Scotland to tackle the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, before heading back to Cumbria to conquer England's highest mountain Scafell Pike and finally travelling to Wales to climb its highest mountain, Snowdon.

“It was amazing,”he said.

“It was nice to get out and hike with other people, meet everyone and hear their reasons for picking certain charities.

"And it was good weather which always helps.

"It was quite hard at some points but I enjoyed it overall.

"Ben Nevis was my favourite, that was the only one I hadn't done before and the views were amazing.

"The hardest was Snowdon at the end because you didn't get much sleep so I was fatigued at that point.

"But pushed on and everyone in the group helped each other."

So far the 30-year-old has raised £1,221 for Make A Wish Foundation, which fulfils the dreams of terminally ill children by provides amazing experiences for them and their family.

"Everyone's helped so much," said Mr Wright.

Mr Wright has become a keen hiker over the last year and also managed to complete all 214 Wainwright routes in a year by May, which held him in good stead for his latest mission.

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-wright54