Andy's bid to aid fund is summit special.

Byline: RICHARD WILLIAMSON

MERSEYSIDE golf professional Andy Stevenson has successfully scaled the heights in aid of charity.

The 40-year-old reached the peaks of the UK's highest mountains - all in the space of just 24 hours.

And the man who has undertaken a 24-hour golf marathon in the past to raise funds admitted the race against the clock up and down the steep slopes of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon was the most gruelling thing he has ever tackled.

"You can train for it and be physically fit as a person, but nothing prepares you for actually taking on the mountains," he said.

"We were part jogging, part marching. Keeping up the pace needed to get round all three in 24 hours is really tough."

Stevenson, who was joined by golfing pals Gary Vickers (Tyneside) and Andy Turner (Knaresbrough), started out in Scotland with 1344 metres to reach the top of Ben Nevis.

The trio drove through the night so they were in position to start up 978m Scafell Pike in the Lake District at the first hint of light before finishing at 1085m Snowdon in North Wales.

"We managed to get up and down each mountain in under three hours, which was pretty good," added Stevenson after his team completed their Herculean task in 18 hours 50 minutes. "There was snow at the top of Ben Nevis while Scafell was the hardest climb as it was dark, meaning we wore head lamps. It's really rocky and dangerous as you approach the summit with little light.

"The funniest moment was having a bath and swimming in the river at the bottom of Ben Nevis - it was freezing but refreshing after running all the way down."

The trio have raised around pounds 1,000 for the RETT Syndrome Association UK. Andy's nine-yearold daughter Beth suffers from Rett Syndrome.

"It is a complex neurological disorder that affects mainly girls," explains Andy.

"It leaves sufferers with multiple disabilities and reliant on others for all their needs."

The team were supported by SIS (Science In Sport) with energy bars, recovery drinks and gels, with Stevenson, who lives at Burtonwood, adding: "I would like to thank all those who have supported us and particularly the members at Mersey Valley. They have sponsored me for more than pounds 10,000 over the last 12 years, which is unbelievable."

But not content to rest on his laurels, Andy is now planning his next fundraiser - a 36-hour golf marathon at Mersey Valley next month. He will be joined in his quest by training partners Gary Chambers, the Warrington Wolves Academy Coach and a former player, Gareth O'Brien, a Warrington Wolves under-21 player and Alex Duckers. * Anyone interested in supporting Andy's efforts can do so through the website www.justgiving.com/andystevenson69.

He will also be supporting Lansbury Bridge School and FSID (Foundation for sudden infant death) after his nephew died of cot death.Nothing prepares you for actually taking on the mountains ANDY STEVENSON

CAPTION(S):

Andy Stevenson, Gary Vickers and Andy Turner conquer another peak