THE memory of a loved friend and relative is spurring two pals to run up three peaks in one day.
Accountant Paul White, 43, and postman Steven Law, 51, plan to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours.
They will climb a combined 3,407m, while covering a total of 24 miles overall, in honour of John Mather.
The former factory worker, who was Mr White’s father-in-law and a friend of Mr Law, died from renal failure in October.
Now the pair hope to raise about £3,000 for South Tyneside District Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, which treated him.
Mr White, of Beaconside, and Mr Law, of West Avenue, both South Shields, came up with the idea in response to the good care Mr Mather received there.
Mr White said: “It’s going to be tough, but I’m sure we will do it.
“At the hardest moments, we will think of John and all that he meant to us.
“As well as being my father-in-law, he was also a very good friend to me and Steven.
“Steven is very fit generally and I’ve been training since November – I’m confident we will get through it.”
The pair will start their expected five-hour climb and descent of 1,344m Ben Nevis in Scotland at noon on Saturday, June 2.
They will then be driven to England’s highest mountain, the Lake District’s 978m-high Scafell Pike.
They hope to start there around 11pm and conquer it in just four hours.
The final obstacle – 1,085m-tall Snowdon, the tallest peak in Wales – will take four hours after an overnight drive.
They hope to be back down to earth before noon on Sunday.
Mr White’s sister-in-law, Audrey Aggas, 51, is also raising funds with a male waxing night on April 1, at the Britannia pub in Westoe Road, South Shields.
And South Tyneside actor and singer Dale Meeks will be performing with his Shake Ya Tailfeather band at a post-run fundraiser on June 9, at South Shields’ Top Club in Victoria Road.
Mr White and his wife, Lucy, 40, have also contacted bosses at Newcastle United, Sunderland AFC, and Newcastle Falcons, in the hope they will donate items to raffle.
He can be sponsored by contacted him on 07739 120 834.
Twitter: @shieldsgazette
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