EMPLOYEES from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks will be pulling on their hiking boots next month as they climb the UK’s highest mountain.

Ninety-three members of staff, including one from York, will tackle Ben Nevis on September 5 to raise funds for Help the Hospices – the country’s leading hospice care charity.

Matthew Wilfan, 24, from York, works as a customer service officer at Yorkshire Bank and will be taking part in the event with Help the Hospices chief executive David Praill, as they Trek the Ben to reach the highest point on the British Isles, at 1,343m above sea level.

Matthew said: “It’s great to be setting off to climb Ben Nevis alongside my colleagues for the benefit of an extremely worthwhile cause.

“I have no doubt it will be a fantastic experience and I’m hoping to raise much needed funds for Help the Hospices at the same time.

“The bank is supporting us by match funding every penny raised which will be a great motivation when the climb becomes physically challenging.”

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have been working in partnership with Help the Hospices for seven years raising more than £3.5million for hospice care to date. Their combined efforts from the Trek the Ben initiative are expected to raise over £60,000.

Jacqui Atkinson, community support manager at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, said: “We are very pleased at the number of employees who have signed up to take part in the Trek the Ben fundraising challenge, raising funds to support the valuable work of Help the Hospices.”