More than 70 people from across the North East, including 13 from the Alnwick area, climbed Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, on Saturday to raise funds for Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal.

The team of trekkers included Gazette editor Paul Larkin and reporter James Willoughby, alongside regional fund-raiser for Northumberland for Grace House Karen Larkin, her ten-year-old son William and Robert Millichamp from Alnwick.

"It was the hardest physical challenge I have ever done," said Paul.

"It was nine hours of hard slog largely in cloud across a variety of terrains, including snow, loose rocks and streams. It was like climbing into oblivion.

"I don't think anyone can properly prepare for such a tough challenge – I certainly didn't and I'm suffering big time now! But it was all worth it for such a good cause.

"When the going got tough, I pictured the faces of those little children who will not see adulthood and it really spurred me on to finish."

Hairdressers Andrea Henderson and Alex Foggoa from Salon 2 in Alnwick were two of the first to complete the challenge.

Alex said: "It was brilliant we really enjoyed it, it was really cold at the top."

Teachers Vickie Smith, Nicola Foy, who celebrated her 40th birthday on the summit, and Sarah Harnett from Longhoughton First School also completed the challenge.

James Chapple, managing director of Property Consultants Ltd at Lee Moor Business Park, Rennington, who also took part, said: "What a great day out, it was fantastic.

"Everybody had a wonderful time, everybody just got on and there was a great feeling of camaraderie on the day."

Karen said: "I'd like to thank everyone who made such a huge effort to climb Ben Nevis and all our sponsors. It was a greater challenge than any of us imagined.

"There are families with sick children all over the North East who face their own mountains every day and hopefully the money raised will go some way to making the climb a little less painful for them."

The money raised from the event will go towards building a hospice for children across the North East diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses, providing a home from home and support network for the youngsters and their families.

If anyone would like to sponsor Paul, you can still visit his charity page at www.justgiving.com/paullarkin or drop a cheque, made payable to Grace House Children's Hospice Appeal, into the Gazette office.

For a video of the climb, click here.