A TEAM of climbers went to great heights to raise hundreds of pounds for good causes.

A team of three brothers and two former school friends completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge by climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours.

Keen fell walkers Ian, Steven and David Thomas, from Darlington, and friends Mark Dodsworth and Darren Miller, from North Yorkshire, climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon.

Unfortunately, Mr Miller was unable to complete the challenge due to a viral infection, and had to leave early.

Ian, who works in IT at the Barclaycard Business Centre, Teesside, and his brothers raised £410 for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, which was matched by Barclaycard under a pound-for-pound charity scheme for employees, resulting in a total donation of £820.

Mr Dodsworth and Mr Miller raised money for Water Aid.

Ian said they were all delighted to have completed the challenge.

"We celebrated with a couple of beers before crashing out in a bed and breakfast in Betws-y-Coed, not far from Snowdon," he said.

"We were very fortunate that the weather was cool and dry. It was windy on the mountain tops, but it made for pleasant walking."

Jane Bradshaw, director of St Teresa's Hospice, thanked the brothers for their donation.

"We were thrilled to receive the donation and were very impressed by their achievement," she said. "We appreciate the support that Ian and all his friends who sponsored him have given us. Rest assured the money they raised will go towards helping people who are in great need."