A LECTURER is preparing to undertake one of the UK's toughest climbing challenges in order to raise funds for disabled children and their families.

Donald Allen, 33, who works at Strathclyde university in Glasgow, is setting out to tackle the Three Peaks challenge by scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike in England and Snowden in Wales one after the other. The feat is usually completed within 24 hours but Mr Allen, who will climb with a group pf five friends, has extended the timescale to three and a half days.

The team will begin their gruelling effort on May 15, with funds raised supporting Caudwell Children.

Mr Allen said: "We've been pushing ourselves a little more each year."

You can sponsor Mr Allen atjustgiving/3peaks-450miles.