A MAN who promised to climb Everest via Roseberry Topping has completed his challenge to help a little boy with just weeks to live.

Scott Mcalister set out to conquer the North Yorkshire hill 27 times in 24 hours on Saturday – the equivalent of reaching the top of Mount Everest – to raise money for Darlington boy Luke Bell.

Little Luke was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in April last year and endured several rounds of gruelling treatment only to be told he has relapsed.

The eight-year-old’s family have vowed to raise £100,000 for trial cancer treatment available in Spain in the hopes of saving his life.

The North-East community have rallied to support the Bell family, with keen walker Mr Mcalister completing the Topping challenge in 18 hours and 46 minutes, raising more than £2,000 in the process.

Further support has come from the Rotary Club in Luke’s hometown, who handed a cheque for £500 over to his parents.

Darlington Rotary Club president Paul Robinson, who once worked with Luke’s grandfather, went along to Luke’s Christmas party at Mowden Park RFC to present it to him.

Donations now stand at more than £68,000, all raised in less than a fortnight.