Friends Mat Hayles, Guy Clarkson and John Askew set out on a gruelling 14-day trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath in Scotland last Saturday to raise money for Helen and Douglas House.

Mr Hayles, 39, Mr Askew, 38, and Mr Clarkson, 47, from Marlborough, will be trekking between 25-30km a day to raise money for the children’s and young adults’ hospice.

The Cape Wrath Trail has been dubbed the toughest trek in the UK and the trio will be carrying 19kg backpacks and camping as they make their way along the route – just under 350km.

Mr Askew said: “We try to do something like this every one to two years. In 2007 we did the West Highland Way challenge to raise money for York Hill Children’s Hospital in Scotland, which looked after the daughter of our friend, and then we did the Coast to Coast Challenge for Help for Heroes.

“Other than John O’Groats to Lands End we’ve done all the other major UK walks and this one is the most remote.

“We all have children and Helen and Douglas House is a fantastic charity that provides fantastic care and support to children and their families.”