A GROUP of walkers who tackled the Three Peaks Challenge - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in 24 hours - have boosted the fight against motor neurone disease.

Ryan McShane, 36, of Embsay, and eight pals and relatives achieved their target with minutes to spare and have raised £2,240, with more cash to come, for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

He said: "I am still aching terribly and I slept for 12 hours straight when I got home but it was worth it. There were times when I was struggling, partly from lack of sleep, but there was a real sense of achievement when we finished.

"My dad, Larry McShane, has the disease, and tackling it is under-funded and under-researched, so we thought it was important to help."

Ryan was joined by pals from Addingham and Scottish cousins on the walk.

He said: "We finished with Ben Nevis so the Scottish lads wouldn't have so far to go home but we found we'd saved the hardest until last. With hindsight we should have got it out of the way first. But we were all so glad to have finished and to have raised the cash. Our grateful thanks to everyone who supported us."

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so at justgiving.com/larrysarmy