(Image: Northumbrian Water)
Volunteers from a North East water company raised more than £1,240 by climbing the UK’s highest mountain to provide vital equipment for a bereavement therapy service.
Eleven Northumbrian Water employees climbed Ben Nevis in July to raise money for the Stephen Carey Fund.
The charity provides defibrillators, first-aid equipment and emergency training to local communities.
From left, Scott McEwan, Roddy Perryman, Dean Fuller, Cath Darling, Richard Carrington, Joe Hall (Image: Northumbrian Water)
The money funded a defibrillator for Elemental Occupational Therapy, which provides outdoor bereavement support for children and adults.
Cath Darling, an occupational therapist with the service, said: "My work often takes me into forests, riversides and remote trails – beautiful places that offer peace and healing, but they're often far from immediate medical support.
"I had been looking at ways to purchase a defibrillator, as sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, and having a defibrillator on hand can increase survival rates dramatically.
On Ben Nevis (Image: Northumbrian Water)
"The donation from the Stephen Carey Fund came as a real surprise and has been incredibly gratefully received.
"It will now travel with me to every session, workshop and group activity, giving my clients reassurance that their wellbeing is always my priority."
Scott McEwan, a Northumbrian Water employee who volunteers with the Stephen Carey Fund, organised the climb.
He put forward the idea through Northumbrian Water’s ‘Just an Hour’ volunteering scheme.
Mr McEwan said: "We set ourselves the target of raising enough money for the Stephen Carey Fund to purchase a defibrillator for a community or good cause.
"We needed a challenge big enough to help achieve that goal and when Ben Nevis was suggested, everyone jumped at the opportunity.
Cath Darling and Scott McEwan (central) with the defibrillator (Image: Northumbrian Water)
"The hike was enjoyable but definitely challenging, especially towards the summit as the weather changed and tired legs started to kick in.
"It was a fantastic experience and we're hugely grateful to everyone who supported us.
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"To see the money turned into something that could genuinely help save a life is really special.
"We're proud to be able to support the amazing work Cath carries out helping children and adults through bereavement."
The fundraising team recently met Ms Darling to present the defibrillator and hear how it could help people across the North East.