Two north Northumberland residents who have reached the peaks of major mountains across the world will be putting on their walking boots again for a long-distance challenge.

Jim Lang and Gordon Sutherland will be walking the Southern Upland Way to raise funds for The Grove School in Berwick, which is a school for children with complex needs.

It will take place during the first two weeks of May and covers a distance of 215 miles with a total ascent of 8,450 metres. The route links Portpatrick in the west and Cockburnspath in the east via the hills of the Southern Uplands.

Jim, who lives in Horncliffe, and Gordon, who lives in Thornton, have walked extensively together in Europe, Africa, Argentina and Nepal, and have summited Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) and Mera Peak (6,476m), among others.

Jim Lang and Gordon Sutherland at the summit of Mera Peak, with Mount Everest in the background.

placeholder image — Jim Lang and Gordon Sutherland at the summit of Mera Peak, with Mount Everest in the background.

This will be their first long-distance walk in the UK.

Gordon said: “Jim and I are very much looking forward to walking the Southern Upland Way, particularly as we will be raising funds for such a good cause.

“However, we realise the walk will be a challenge, in part because we are both in our mid 60s and no longer spring chickens. And we hope the weather is kind to us.

“The Grove School provides outstanding provision to ensure each child fulfils their potential. We are fundraising to replace the school’s (very) old minibus.

“The bus enables the staff to take the children out and about in the community, enhancing the provision the school can offer and enabling the children to access experiences and events that their families may find challenging to attend themselves.”

Their first adventure was dreamed up over a few beers at Berwick Rugby Club. Together with their late, and much missed, good friend William Grimsdale, they successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

They then did the tour of the Matterhorn trek plus an ascent of the Breithorn (4,164m), where they were again joined by William and also David Foreman from Norham.

Jim and Gordon are the founder trustees of the Tendi Sherpa Foundation – www.tsfnepal.org – and Tendi, who has now climbed Mount Everest 18 times, has visited Berwick on a number of occasions.

Gordon added: “Jim and I then decided to attempt Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in the world outside Asia, with a summit elevation of 6,961 metres.

“Although we reached Camp 2 on Aconcagua at over 5,500m, a violent snow storm arrived that night and prevented us from climbing any further.

“However, our disappointment was put into perspective when we learned that, having ignored advice, some climbers had died or suffered frostbite attempting to summit during the storm.

“On a much more positive note, we met Tendi for the first time, a remarkable Sherpa from Nepal. This encounter with Tendi led to Jim and I having the privilege to climb Mera Peak in Nepal with him in 2015, where this time a weather window between storms allowed us to reach the summit.

“It was during this trip that the concept of the Tendi Sherpa Foundation was discussed. Although Jim and I have now passed on the reins, the foundation is still going strong.

“Luckily Jim and I have never had a problem with altitude, largely because we have had excellent guides who make sure we walk at the right pace and keep hydrated.”

To make a donation to their Southern Upland Way long-distance walk challenge, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gordonandjim