Full kit Raunds firefighter Phil on top form as he scales Britain's highest peak

Fundraising efforts reached dizzying heights for one Raunds firefighter when he climbed the UK’s highest mountain – all while dressed in full fire kit.

Phil Radwell donned his helmet, complete kit and even an old set of breathing apparatus to scale Ben Nevis which is 1,345m above sea level.

Completing the physically tough task took Phil eight hours and 45 minutes.

He said: “This is the first time I have ever climbed a mountain and I trained mainly by going for long walks and trying to train the muscles into taking that kind of punishment.

"It doesn’t really prepare you completely for what the mountain throws at you. Imagine your stairs at home and those stairs being 15 km long. Your thighs burn on the way up and your calves on the way down.”

Phil, who is an on-call firefighter with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and is based at Raunds Fire Station, took on the challenge knowing how difficult this year has been for so many charities, given Covid-19 restrictions.

He was accompanied by his wife Michelle, who had the job of carrying supplies up the mountain.

He added: “It felt like a massive achievement getting to the top and the biggest relief, but then of course you remember you have to make it all the way down too.

“But I was really proud to raise this money for The Fire Fighters Charity. I know charities have really suffered with so many events being cancelled so I wanted to do a little bit to help.”

Their efforts helped raise £975 for The Fire Fighters Charity, an organisation which works to support the mental and physical wellbeing of serving and retired firefighters, and their families.

Anyone who would like to support Phil’s fundraising effort can donate by clicking here.Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.