CORSHAM firefighters have proved that no mountain is a challenge for them as they completed a charity climb while wearing full kit over the weekend all in aid of raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Thirteen firefighters tackled the 1,085m ascent of Mount Snowdon on Sunday, using the Llanberis path, and raised more than £3,000 for the charity in their endeavour.

Crew manager Andy Webster said it took the team a few hours to complete the climb and descent and they were all delighted to make the summit.

Mr Webster added: “The climb really good and the weather was lovely at the bottom just as we set off and then once we got three quarters of the way up, as we got to the cloudy area, it got quite tough but everyone got up safely and made it down as well which was the most important thing.

“The weight of the kit wasn’t too bad but because of the way the walk started off, you got hot and sweaty quite fast and it was just unpleasant and uncomfortable. It was like wearing lots of layers of thick clothing and so it was the restriction in movement which was the hardest part.

It is not the first time that the Corsham crew have taken on an endurance feat for charity while wearing fire kit.

In April 2013, firefighters walked the 22 miles between Devizes and Bath along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, and raised thousands of pounds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Fire Fighters Charity.

For Mr Webster, it was his fifth charity fire kit challenge after he and his colleague Mark Evans took on the Corsham 10k, the Chippenham Half Marathon and the New York marathon in 2013, all in aid of fire service charity Operation Florian.

The decision to do the climb came from Corsham fire station's social club, which supports local good causes and organises activities for the firefighters and their families.

Mr Webster said: “We decided at the beginning of the year that we wanted to support Wiltshire Air Ambulance during 2015. Sadly, we often meet the crew at incidents, and we've seen firsthand what a brilliant job they do.

“We are surprised that we managed to raise so much and people’s generosity never ceases to amaze me because there are so many charities out there.”

After arriving back in Corsham late on Sunday evening, the crew were back on call by 10pm.

To donate, visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/corsham22.