VIDEO: Doncaster men off to conquer Ben Nevis

Five friends from Doncaster left this afternoon for Scotland, where they hope to scale Ben Nevis and make a mountain of cash.

Chip shop owner Martin Bilby and former soldier Paul Bristow aim to raise as much as they can for war veteran Ben Parkinson’s charity Pilgrim Bandits, and the Nichola Hughes Memorial Fund to help children who have lost a family member through violent crime.

The two pals are joined in this bid by Shaun Hayes, Paul Holmes and Mark Brierley.

Doncaster hero Ben Parkinson and Bryn Hughes, the father of murdered policewoman Nichola, met the men at the Stag Inn to see them off on their journey.

The men aim to start their climb at 6am tomorrow and get to the top under five hours, But the weather may be an obstacle. Martin Bilby, 45, said: “It will be a tough challenge, no doubt about it, but if it gets hard we’ll just think of what we’re doing it for, to spur us on.”

Martin and Paul have further events planned this summer and hope to raise £10,000 in total for Pilgrim Bandits.

The mood was merry at the Stag Inn as pub regulars joined family and friends of the climbers there.

Three of the men will return home tomorrow night. But Martin and Paul Holmes will cycle back. Martin will do a 500 foot abseil on Friday, then two days later swim a mile at Adwick Baths, before a parachute jump on August 20 and a half marathon on August 24. He also plans a man versus food challenge at his fisheries.

Both Ben and Bryn wished the men well, and thanked them for their support.

To help the men with their efforts log on to the justgiving website and the link for Pilgrim Bandits then Paul Bristow.

Or call in at the Stag Inn, Doncaster or Scawsby Fisheries with donations.