Two brothers have raised more than £2,500 for a hospice that cared for their mother after climbing 15 mountain ranges in less than 24 hours.

David and Allen Clarke, who used to live in Blackburn, completed their challenge of climbing the Welsh 3000 in 24 hours, raising £2,564 for East Lancashire Hospice, where their mother spent her final days.

David, Allen and some friends set off at 4.45am on Saturday, July 30, and spent nearly 20 hours completing the mammoth challenge, finishing at 1am the next morning.

David said: “We have never been tested to this extent before, climbing the mountains, scrambling and manoeuvring over rocks and some very tricky descents certainly took its toll on us, there was a few of us struggling with our knees and hips as the constant pressure was relentless.”

David started struggling after climbing the third mountain range but dosed himself up on medication and carried on, making it to the eleventh mountain range before his knee seized up.

Lancashire Telegraph: David and Allen ClarkeDavid and Allen Clarke

He added: “Once we reached the path it was much easier going but by now, I was running on empty and completely exhausted, it was a strange feeling, but I dug deep as we all did and managed to reach a support vehicle, who drove us back to the hostel.

“On reflection, it’s been the hardest thing I would ever want to attempt, but we all completed it, and I’m so proud of everyone.

“There were times when giving in was very close to reality, but we stayed strong and got the job done.”

Dave and Allan no longer live in the area, but they value the hospice and the care their mother received in her final days.

The brothers are on the way to raising £30,000 in total for the hospice - a target the family set themselves after the hospice cared for their mother Margaret Clarke who spent her final days at the hospice.

They have managed to raise around £16,500 so far.