INTREPID climbers from Warrington-based United Utilities are gearing up for their greatest ever challenge – to climb the 10 highest mountains in Scotland in support of the charity WaterAid.
The team of 12 will be led by the chairman of WaterAid in the North West, Mike Naden.
Mike, managing director or the company’s IT Operations division, is no stranger to mountains – last year, he raised 
more than £60,000 from a climbing challenge in the Lake District.
He said: “This time, it will be much more gruelling. I’ve deliberately picked a route through the Scottish mountains that will take us beyond what we’ve experienced before.”
Over four days, between June 10-13, the climbers will ascend 10 Bens – over 4,000ft – some of which are so isolated that they will have to cycle in on mountain bikes.
Each day’s climb – the equivalent of conquering two and a half Ben Nevis’s every 24 hours – will take more than 12 hours.
The team, which has been in training for months, includes Samantha Dale from Great Sankey and Becci Purcell, both based in Warrington.
Sam said: “It’s going to be our toughest event yet.
“Apart from the wind, rain and midges, I’m also going to be looking out for the Big Grey Man of Macdui!”
The Yeti-like creature is said to inhabit the remote peak of Ben Macdui.
“It’s going to be an uphill struggle, but the team are all so proud to be supporting WaterAid that we are prepared to take on anything and everything in order to raise essential funds for such a fantastic charity.”
By the end of the four days, the team will have climbed more than 40,000ft – as high as the maximum altitude for commercial aircraft!
Becci said: “It’s certainly not for the faint hearted, but the team are all so proud to be supporting WaterAid that we are prepared to take on anything and everything in order to raise essential funds for such a fantastic charity.”
WaterAid provides safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.
Pictured: Mike, with Samantha and Becci
