The eightsome decided to take on the highest mountain in the UK and Ireland to raise much needed funds for the charity and will do so in September

At 1344 metres (4409 feet) reaching the summit of Ben Nevis in the Scottish Southern Highlands is the dream of many a hill-walker. Every year thousands of people do the climb for charity, or simply for the 'pleasure' of it!

Any ascent of Ben Nevis is a challenge and a great achievement, but the Costcutter team intend to walk past the tourist route and instead climb the more demanding north face of the mountain.

It is not the longer distance and steeper slopes that make this so difficult, nor the fact that the group must first climb another mountain called Carn Mor Dearg which is 1220 metres (4019 feet high).

The real challenge in this endeavour is the ridge between the two mountains, known as the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. This is one of the most amazing and scenic ridge walks in the country, but it is also very high, very steep, very narrow and very exposed.

One of the eight group members, local man Simon Ball, said: "This climb is an intimidating prospect.

"Some of us are keen mountaineers whilst others are only starting out. A few, me included, don't even like heights!

"This really is the hard way to do Ben Nevis, but we can't wait to give it a go. We met through O'Neill's Costcutters in Portglenone who support fundraising for Autism (NI) and decided to take up the challenge in aid of this worthwhile cause. And because we are funding the trip costs ourselves all money raised goes straight to charity. Now that must be worth sponsoring us for!".

If you recognize any of the faces in the photograph, why not give them a call and pledge your support, or you can go to www.justgiving.com/bennevisthehardway to learn more about the climb and donate online.