A GROUP of old school friends from across the district reunited last weekend to scale three of the UK's highest peaks, raising thousands for the treatment of cystic fibrosis sufferers.

A team of 24 former school friends from Verulam and Nicholas Breakspear were joined by members of Harpenden and St Albans rugby clubs on a gruelling hike up Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Peak in the Lake District and Snowdon in Wales as part of the Three Peaks Challenge.

The expedition, completed by the all-male team in just 24 hours, raised more than £23,000 for cystic fibrosis care at Watford General Hospital, beating their target by £8,000.

Organisers Jack and Victoria Stevenson of Althorp Road, St Albans, were inspired to raise the money on behalf of their six-year-old son Oliver, who was diagnosed with the disease last year.

Victoria said: "The fundraising has gone very well. We set a target of £15,000 and we've raised even more. The money will be used for local children with cystic fibrosis and we're hoping that it will go towards funding a specialist cystic fibrosis nurse."

Ben Brophy, of Pondfield Crescent, St Albans, who took part in the challenge, said: "About three months ago, Jack, Oliver's dad, suggested that we do a bit of fundraising because they realised that Watford General Hospital didn't really have the facilities for cystic fibrosis that specialist hospitals in London have.

"Not only did it offer us the opportunity to raise money, but when you're out walking on the mountains, it's a great way to catch up with old school friends who you don't see so much any more."

The team, which split into three smaller groups for the ascent, set out to climb Ben Nevis at 5am on Saturday morning.

Ben said: "It was absolutely bucketing down. It was really windy and cloudy up on the top and we were soaked through to the bone when we were still on the first mountain.

"It was pretty hard going, but when we got down, it was amazing. The drivers had some soup and bacon sandwiches ready."

The team went on to scale the remaining two peaks, despite one group losing their way on Scafell Peak, and they reached the summit of Snowdon around 5am on Sunday morning.

Ben added: "We were really proud and really happy for Ollie and all the other kids who will benefit."

Further information about cystic fibrosis is available at www.cftrust.org.uk, and you can donate by going to www.justgiving.com/victoriastevenson4/.