BEAR Grylls, Chris Bonnington and Sir Edmund Hillary famously climbed Everest but a team of Ryde firefighters aim to get their names into the record books by ascending the equivalent height of the mountain 13 times in two days using a ladder.
Ten crewmen from Ryde Community Fire Station aim to put themselves through the pain barrier in aid of the Wight Brainy Bunch and the Ryde Fire Station Charity Fund.
During the gruelling event, Everest 13, the firefighters will use a fire service ladder, climbing at least 71 miles in ten-metre relays — the same as a trip into outer space — within 24 hours.
They hope the public will come out in force to support the event, at Ryde’s Western Gardens, over the weekend of August 5 and 6.
Should they beat their target, they will set a new world record, currently held by a team of firefighters from the Isle of Man, who climbed the equivalent of 70.94 miles in 2012.
The Wight Brainy Bunch is a charity established by Ryde firefighter Mark Grimes and his wife, Kathryn, following Mark’s diagnosis of a brain tumour in February 2015.
The charity aims to help raise awareness and funds for brain tumour research and provide support for patients and their families affected by brain tumours on the Island.
The Ryde Fire Station Fund donates cash and buys computers, music devices and other items to help make life a little easier for local families who are going through tough physical and emotional situations.
Crew manager at Ryde Community Fire Station Sam Ade said: "Everest 13 is set to be the most physically difficult and challenging of all the charity events we have ever attempted at Ryde.
"If you would like to sponsor our event, your kind donation will go towards the cost of staging the event and ensuring any funds raised will go direct to the charities."
To help, contact Sam by phoning 817025 or 07736279351 or by e-mail: sam.ade@iow.gov.uk or contact Mark Grimes on 07813752021.


Some of the Ryde firefighters who are taking part in a climbing challenge in August.

Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk