Roan Ballantine, left, and Donald Newbery with their equipment provided by the Galloway team. Photo: Mike Kneeshaw

Roan Ballantine, left, and Donald Newbery with their equipment provided by the Galloway team. Photo: Mike Kneeshaw

A Scottish mountain rescue team is supporting two young adventurers in their quest to raise cash for cancer research.

Galloway Mountain Rescue Team has donated gear to Roan Ballantine and Donald Newbery for their Five Peaks Challenge.

The two friends have already summited Ben Nevis this week before heading out to the United States to tackle a further four mountain walks, including Oregon’s third highest peak and the Mount St Helens volcano in Washington State.

Cash raised by sponsorship will to Cancer Research UK.

Roan Ballantine said: “We’ve both experienced first-hand the devastating effects of cancer and we are determined to try and tackle something challenging to raise money for a charity so close to our hearts.

“We have chosen the mountains we will climb with the assistance of John Biggar, an international mountain guide and former member of the Galloway Mountain Rescue Team.”

The team has provided protective clothing from their official kit, first aid supplies, ration packs and high-energy drinks. It also loaned them a GPS receiver as a safeguard, so they don’t get lost.

The pair ascended Ben Nevis on Wednesday and are now preparing to climb Mount St Helens, the Matterhorn in Oregon, then the state’s third highest peak, the 3,157m (10,358ft) Mount Charity, before moving on to their fifth, final peak in California, which at present they are keeping under wraps.

The two adventurers will then undertake a 560km (350-mile) bike ride between Portland and San Francisco.

David Tyson, Galloway MRT depute team leader, said: “We are delighted to support Roan and Donald in this fundraising adventure.

“We’ve spent time honing their hillcraft and navigation skills and provided them with range of protective clothing and other essential equipment to save them significant expense.

“This is a tremendous challenge they have set themselves, and we hope our assistance will make the journey safe, comfortable and enjoyable.”

Mr Ballantine said: “We are extremely grateful for the support the team has provided.

“We have acted as casualties on the hillside on a cold, dark winter’s night for a rescue exercise and then as casualties for their casualty-care training and really appreciate what these guys do for the community. Providing us with training and equipment is just the icing on the cake.”

The pair are funding the trip themselves so money raised will go towards the cancer charity. Donations can be made via the justgiving website. Updates will be posted on the men’s Facebook page.

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