A GROUP of adventurous students are set to scale new heights when they tackle the National Three Peaks challenge.

The second year physiotherapy students will be pulling on their hiking boots to raise funds for The Golden Jubilee spinal cord injuries centre at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

They were inspired to climb the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland - Ben Nevis (4,409 feet) Scafell Pike (3,209 feet) and Snowdon (3,560 feet) - in 24 hours, after spending ten-weeks on work placement at the specialist unit.

The group, aged between 20 and 35, are aiming to raise £3,000 to purchase an enhanced standing aid used to assist patient transfers as well as other medical equipment which will benefit patients on the unit.

Student Patrick Traylor, 28, said: “As physiotherapists we are encouraged to promote health. This challenge will push us to our physical as well as mental limits. We chose to do a very physically demanding challenge as we want to be able to practice what we preach.

“On a day to day basis we come in contact with patients fighting a mental battle of recovery, a lot of the time against the unknown. As students we have to be able to communicate and help patients through this battle. This challenge will rely on us sticking together as a group and motivating and encouraging each other when we hit the inevitable low moments.’’

To sponsor the team visit their Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/TeessidePhysioStudents