A GLASGOW man of 78 will lead a team attempting to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - in the space of just 24 hours.

Jimmy Munro, from Rutherglen. will scale a total of 11,180ft as he tackles Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in a bid to raise funds for the Marie Curie cancer charity.

He will be joined in the venture by his son Andy, 44, and their friends Alan Wilkinson, 43, Neil Leslie, 49, and Fraser Ainslie, 47.

The group will start at the base of Ben Nevis at 5pm on Friday, June 9, and hope to have completed all three by 5pm on the Saturday.

They will be driven between the hills by Andy’s colleague David Young, 25.

The group were inspired to take on the challenge after seeing Marie Curie nurses care for Jimmy’s dying brother-in-law Tam McGlone, who was also Alan’s father-in-law.

It is just the latest in a series of challenges Jimmy has taken on since retiring.

The remarkable pensioner has crossed the Sahara, climbed the highest Mountains in Europe, South America and North America, and cycled from Land’s End to John ‘O Groats.

And last year he completed the 175 mile Great Outdoor Challenge for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

Jimmy said: “Tam's son-in-law Alan, myself and my son Andy, together with two of Andy and Alan’s friends, Neil and Fraser, decided to do something to try to raise awareness of this magnificent organisation and hopefully raise some much-needed funds for them along the way.

“As Tam battled bravely with cancer everyone rallied round to his aid, but we knew it still wasn't enough.

“Step in Marie Curie nurses. They were absolutely amazing. They were at Tam’s bedside from 10pm in the evening until 7am next day, tending to him and keeping him comfortable through the night. They even took a little sponge to moisten his lips now and again.

“Sadly Tam passed away but it was very peacefully, mainly down to Marie Curie.

“Neil’s mum and dad were also cared for in the final days of their lives in a Marie Curie hospice, for which Neil says he'll be for ever grateful.

“It's very comforting to know that these fantastic people are there for all of us at these times.

There’s one more motivation for the lads to get finished in time on the Saturday – the Scotland v England World Cup Qualifying tie kicks off at 5.10pm!

* Anyone wishing to donate to the cause should go to www.justgiving.com/jimmymunro