A martial arts group proved it had a head for heights by completing a charity challenge - on the top of England’s third highest mountain.
Members of Kuon Ji Ju-Jitsu Association braved the blistering heat to trek up Helvellyn in the Lake District, fully-laden with gym mats and equipment.
And when they reached the 3,117ft high summit they performed 1,000 throws as part of a charity fundraiser for Help For Heroes - much to the bemusement of other hikers.
Organiser Max Robinson said: "It was a great day, very hard work but all for a very good cause and everyone really enjoyed themselves."
The peace and quiet of Helvellyn was soon shattered by the thumps, thuds and groans of 20 members of Kuon Ji Ju-Jitsu Association starting their epic challenge.
Max said: "Very soon we had a large audience of fellow walkers, some looking at us very strangely as if we must be totally mad to be doing this in this heat.
"They were giving us a lot of encouragement and stepping forward to donate into our collection tins, as they watched us throw each other around with the picturesque mountain peaks in the background."
The Kuon Ji Ju-Jitso Association has clubs in both Clayton-le-Moors and Accrington.
The throws were perfomed by both senior members of the clubs and also a handful of juniors who had made the trip to the top, notably 10-year-olds Lily Millen, Zac Robinson and Joseph Entwistle, who, much to the annoyance of the seniors, seemed to make the trek look easy. And despite confusing other hikers initially, the group soon found they had much support on the mountain.
Max said: "Countless members of the public asked what we were doing and what we intended to do with the ‘big pieces of foam’ we were carrying.
"Once we told them what we were doing and why, everyone wanted to donate money. Our collection tins were getting pretty heavy and that was just on the way up."
The group chose to support armed forces charity Help For Heroes after one of their members was severely injured in Afghanistan.
Max said: "The reason that we have chosen Help for Heroes, is that one of our senior instructors, a serving member of 45 Commando Royal Marines, was very seriously injured in Afghanistan in December 2008 by a landmine. After emergency care at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, he has spent the last year recuperating and he gives us all a boost when he comes down to the clubs when he is home."
Max added that he expected to know how much the group had raised in a week or two.
He said: "Thanks again to all those who have donated so far - and if anyone would still like to donate to our fundraising effort please contact Tony on 07775 978170."
He also thanked Haworth Scaffolding Contractors Ltd who sponsored a minibus to take the group to the Lake District.
