CLIMBING enthusiasts have scaled the equivalent of the world's third highest mountain to raise money for a water charity.
The region's top mountaineer, Alan Hinkes, joined a team of about 30 climbers at the Rock Antics Climbing Wall, in Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, yesterday. The participants were sponsored to climb up and down the wall, one of the best in the region, to raise funds for WaterAid.
They were attempting to climb the equivalent height of Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 8,597 metres.
The challenge was part of a national indoor wall climb called Challenge 8000, which took place at 14 climbing walls across the country.
Each venue was raising funds for WaterAid, which works to help provide clean water and sanitation for the world's poorest people.
At Newton Aycliffe, regular climbers were joined by staff from Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, who helped to organise the event.
Each climber kept his or her personal tally, which was totalled by event co-ordinator Fiona Lobley.
Organisers were hoping to raise more than £1,000 for WaterAid from the Newton Aycliffe climb.
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