ALMOST £10,000 has been raised for a youth development charity in a grueling event completed by a ten-strong team from York wealth managers Pearson Jones Plc.

A total of £9,500 – £4,500 more than initially promised – has been raised for the Mitchemp Trust by the team, which completed the 24-hour, 100km Invesco Perpetual Highland Adventure Race.

The ten, including managing director Tim Johnson, wealth management director John Metcalf and senior consultant Shelley Hemsworth, started out from Inverness on the east coast and travelled by bicycle, foot and kayak for 100km across the Great Glen.

The final challenge involved crossing Ben Nevis at 5,000ft, the highest point in the UK, before finishing at Fort William on the west coast.

York-based wealth management director John Metcalf said: “It was very tough – far more so than we expected – and the weather was not too kind.

“However, it was gratifying to raise so much for such a worthwhile cause.” The Mitchemp Trust, based in Swindon, is a youth development charity working with vulnerable children to help them learn the importance of team work, communication, social skills and learning about taking responsibility.