TWO Wallyford boys scaled Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, on Saturday, raising hundreds of pounds for a charity set up in memory of a young Musselburgh footballer.

Nine-year-old TJ Benn, a pupil at Wallyford Primary School, and his cousin James Benn,13, who is in third year at Musselburgh Grammar School, braved the cold and rain to complete the tough challenge.

They were accompanied by TJ’s mum Claire,33, and dad Jimmy, 32, of Albert Crescent, Wallyford, who are both keen climbers, and granddad George Benn, 69, from Tranent on his first climbing expedition.

They started walking up Ben Nevis, which stands at 1,346 metres above sea level, at 8am, reaching the summit at about noon and then finishing their descent at 4pm.

Their efforts raised £330 for the Jordan Houston Trust which was set up by Musselburgh couple Chloe and Chris Houston.

Their son Jordan, who loved playing for Musselburgh Windsor, died five years ago at the age of 11 after he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.

The trust supports children who are suffering from cancer and their families.

And it works directly with social workers in the children’s cancer ward who request help.

Mum-of-three Claire, whose eldest son Josh became Jordan’s friend after they started playing for Musselburgh Windsor together, has been backing the trust since its formation.

She and Jimmy raised £200 with an earlier sponsored Ben Nevis climb and cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh which raised £300.

Claire said: “The weather is horrible all the way up Ben Nevis on Saturday. It never stopped raining the whole time we were on our journey.

“It coldest I have felt at the top of the mountain. Some other adult climbers were turned back half way up. We had to keep going. We are so proud of TJ and James. They were full of beans and smiles the next day.”

This was TJ’s biggest climb so far, having honed his skills at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh and in Cumbria with his parents.

Ben Nevis, located in the Grampian mountains, was the first climbing challenge for James.

A further £110 has been raised from fundraising at Claire’s Tranent beauty salon ‘Nirvana’ where she offered to do children’s glitter lips and hair feathers for £3, although generous customers were only too keen to dip into their pockets give more.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their support,” added Claire whose JustGiving page will remain open for another two months at www.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireBenn1

Further information on the trust is available at www.jordanhoustontrust.org