By VIVENNE NICOLL

A GROUP of five hardy friends are planning an arduous trek in the Italian Alps to raise money for charity.

The groups, who are all in their 60s, will be scaling peaks over 2500ft high and during their four day adventure will stay overnight in mountain refuges.

Their aim is to raise funds for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalous Scotland which every year supports mover than 1500 children, young people, adults and family members and carers.

Leading the group will be paediatric surgeon Robert Carachi, who was heavily involved in the treatment of spina bifida until he recently retired. Mr Carachi was awarded the MBE this year.

He will be joined by Eamon Mertugh, a recently retired cardiac physiologist and head of department for 40 years at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, retired teachers Ewen Mcleod and Jim Fisher and pricing controller Jim Kerr.

Mr Carachi said: “We are all keen hikers and are determined to make sure we finish the route.

“It won’t be easy given the conditions are likely to range from very hot, to stormy, to really rather cold at night.

“The Alps are well known for being loose underfoot with steep ups and downs so it is going to be a challenge.

“We did the West Highland Way last year and raised a lot of money and we are very pleased to be doing so for SBH Scotland this year.”

Deborah Rose, director of fundraising for SBH Scotland said she was grateful to the group for choosing the charity in its 50th year.

She added: “Our charity continues to support all those affected by the lifelong, complex disabilities of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and every year we have to raise £1million.

“Challenges like this are vital to us providing services for another 50 years.”

To support the trekkers visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Jim-kerr2 or if you want to undertake your own challenge for the charity contact Lynsey Hamilton on 03455 211 600 or email fundraising@sbhscoltand.org.uk