AN ADVENTURER from Rickmansworth climbed 14,000ft over four of the tallest mountains in the UK in just 43 hours for charity.
Graham Nye, 41, of Springwell Lane, was joined by 10 former school friends, who play squash together at William Penn Leisure Centre in Mill End, to tackle Scotland's infamous Ben Nevis, Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland.
They embarked on their gruelling expedition in aid of charities including Barnados and The Peace Hospice in Watford, and have so far raised £14,000.
Mr Nye came up with the gruelling challenge as a way of 'staving off the mid-life crisis and middle-age spread'.
He said: "It was trying to get lots of guys who have known each other for a long time together to bond for a good cause and also to try and get a bit fitter as well."
The adventurer was accompanied on his quest by Jonathan Bowers, Philip Aarons, Ian Ryan, Kevin Boon and Tony McNeill, who all live in Rickmansworth, plus Charles Fuller, Guy Anderson, Andrew Speers, Alan Speight and Ashley Ward.
They began their challenge in Northern Ireland on June 24 before reaching Snowdon three days later, after a punishing 36 miles of walking.
Mr Nye, a married-father-of-two, who completed the London Marathon last year to raise £4,000 for Barnados, said: "The four peaks were as tough mentally as the marathon was physically.
"We hear a lot about the three peaks so we thought we would try to go one better."
Mr Nye's wife, Justine, and Mr Fuller's fiancee, Joanna Conteh – daughter of former world light-heavyweight boxing champion, John Conteh – acted as the group's chauffeurs, driving the 1,100 mile journey in an old school minibus.
Mr Nye added: "I think there were times where everyone wondered why on earth they were there and if they could carry on.
"Thankfully we had a close enough group that there were always enough people whose spirits were up to encourage anyone who was down.
"My own personal low was at about 1am on Saturday morning, half way up Ben Nevis having already missed the previous night’s sleep and with only one peak in the bag and about another 24 hours to go.
"But I had no one else to blame as it was all my idea."
To sponsor the group, visit www.justgiving.com/4peaks40hours
