Dumfries and Galloway pals raise thousands for charity with extreme Screel climbing challenge

Three pals have raised thousands of pounds for charity with an extreme climbing challenge.

Jack Johnstone from Haugh of Urr, Angus Hilsley from Castle Douglas and John Carlisle from Dumfries spent two days going up and down Screel Hill.

Angus and Dumfries Saints rugby players Jack and John took on the quest and every four hours they set off for another four mile attempt – each of them carrying a backpack weighing 25kg.

And in doing so the intrepid trio raised more than £6,000 for Poppyscotland, agricultural organisation RSABI and bone cancer fundraiser Freddie’s Future.

It wasn’t the first time Jack and Angus had attempted a hill-based challenge for a fundraiser, having scaled Scotland’s three highest peaks for Help for Heroes and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation last year.

Jack admitted: “It was a lot tougher than last time with the backpacks.

“One of the other guys doing it used to train like that in the Army so we thought we’d do it so it was harder than the last time.

“I won’t be rushing to do it again!

“We were lucky with the weather – we set off at 4am on Friday and it was every four hours after that, finishing at midnight at the end of Sunday.”

Details of how to donate to the trio can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/john-jacks-4x4x48, www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angus-hilsley3 and www.justgiving.com/team/angus4x4x48.