Published: Saturday, 24th July, 2010 2:00pm

Lecturers raise cash to honour friend

TWO Greenock lecturers are proving there ain't no mountain high enough when it comes to helping out a friend.

Paul McFarlane and Marc Fallon are preparing to take part in the Three Peaks Challenge to help raise money for cancer charities.

The two pals, who are music lecturers at Greenock's James Watt College. signed up for the gruelling task in honour of their fellow lecturer, and friend Andrew McDermid — popularly known as McD — who is currently fighting bowel cancer.

The Three Peaks Challenge is renowned as one of the most arduous physical tests around.

Paul and Mark will be hiking and running their way up and down the highest peak in each of the UK's mainland countries — Scotland, England and Wales. But the challenge has to be completed within 24 hours.

The men will be raising money for Ardgowan Hospice and the Oncology Endowment Fund at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Paul, 36, said: "It's definitely going to be tough, especially trying to cram all three climbs into 24 hours, but it's something we both want to do to support Andrew. He's been a good friend and colleague for years, so we want to show that we're there for him while he's going through this."

Andrew, 41, says he is delighted his pals are going to such lengths to show their support.

He said: "I'm absolutely over the moon the guys are doing this, and they are taking it very seriously. They've been in training for months.

"The guys told me they had decided to do the Three Peaks Challenge and asked me if I would choose the charities they will raise money for. I loved the idea of giving to local charities so I chose the two that have been invaluable to me whilst I've been having my cancer treatment."

The brave pair will start their challenge at the 3,560ft Mount Snowdon in Wales. Once that's completed they will head to England and take on 3,209ft Scafell Pike before finishing at Ben Nevis in the Highlands, the tallest at 4,409ft.

The total height the pair will climb is approximately 11,178ft.

Paul says some of Andrew's friends and colleagues will be joining them at Ben Nevis and climbing the final mountain to show their support.

If you would like to sponsor the boys, visit www.ardgowanhospice.org.uk

There are also T-shirts for sale at £8 each from James Watt College Finnart Street and Buff Headware from the Hairy Beastie shop in Gourock courtesy of Stewart Phillips.

If you would like to support the boys email pmcfarlane@jameswatt.ac.uk or check out their Facebook page '24hours For McD'.