ROCK climbers were scaling new heights yesterday in aid of a hospice appeal.

Dozens of people teamed up at Rock Antics, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to climb the 8,848-metre height of the world’s highest peak – Mount Everest.

The thousands they hope to raise will go to the Grace House Children’s Hospice Appeal to build, equip and run a hospice in Sunderland.

Youngsters from schools in Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor got involved, and Rock Antics director John Crooks says about £2,000 will be raised.

“We are doing it in teams and relays and everyone has done really well,” he said.

“About 30 people are here today and we’ll raise as much as possible, which is the important thing. We’ll be doing it again next year.”

The event was sponsored by Track ‘n’ Terrain, an outdoor sports shop in Durham.