A TEAM of nine Culcheth friends are taking on the three peaks challenge after being inspired by the bravery of a teenager with Rett Syndrome.

Beth Stevenson suffers from a neurological disorder which makes her feel trapped in her own body.

The 14-year-old developed normally until she was a year old then gradually lost the ability to walk and talk.

She needs 24-hour care, suffers from epilepsy and has had surgery on her spine and hip in the past two years.

Beth’s dad Andrew, who attended Culcheth High School, said: “She has faced both operations courageously and keeps bouncing back, she is an inspiration to everyone she meets.”

So Andrew’s friends are taking on Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowden in 24 hours to raise money and awareness for the charity Reverse Rett, which was co-founded by Andrew in 2010.

The gruelling challenge starts tomorrow, Friday, at 5pm and amounts to more than a 11,000ft climb between the three mountains and 476 miles covered.

The team, who have called themselves the Cherry Climbers, aim to raise £2,000.

Visit justgiving.com/ cherryclimbers