Couple's caring Christmas Day climb

Teacher Miss Joanne Durkin and her soldier boyfriend Joss Bradbury will swap the warmth of home for the chilly peaks of Britain’s highest mountain in a bid to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice.

The couple, who have already raised £500 and now want to double that amount, have asked for donations rather than presents this festive season.

Joanne, an intervention tutor at Blessed Trinity RC College, said: “For the past 25 years Joss and I have been lucky enough to spend Christmas Day with our family and friends, eating, drinking and generally being spoilt rotten.

“This year we decided to give up that luxury and are asking friends and family for sponsorship instead of cards or presents.”

The trek will also provide a good training opportunity for Joanne who is hoping to join Joss in the Army.

She added: “We walk up Pendle Hill a lot but this is obviously going to be a lot tougher.”

To sponsor visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bennevisonchristmasday.