The trails of participants' headtorches on Striding Edge. Photo: Nick Landells/Lakeland Photo Walks

Forty walkers made a night ascent of England’s third highest mountain to help raise cash for mountain rescue.

The Striding Edge by Torchlight event will boost Lake District rescuers funds by more than £1,000.

The participants made the ascent via the grade-one scrambling ridge on Saturday evening in the fifth annual running of the fundraiser.

It was organised by Lakeland Mountain Guides, which also runs the Lakeland Festival of Light events, most recently on Cat Bells overlooking Derwent Water.

The organisers said: “Despite the forecast changing by the hour the 40 fundraisers set off from Glenridding and ascended toward a cloud-covered Helvellyn.

“As the light faded the weather miraculously changed and the group were left with stunning starlit skies, the silhouettes of the eastern fells, the bright lights of Penrith and even a meteor shower for company.”

Filmmaker Terry Abraham was also on hand to record the torchlit traverse of Striding Edge for his upcoming movie Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn, the third in his trilogy of Lakeland mountain films.

Matt Le Voi, director of Lakeland Mountain Guides, said “This was actually the third attempt of capturing the event on film.

“Poor weather has halted previous attempts and I really felt like we were going to strike out but obviously our luck was in. I’m so glad the film will show people enjoying the mountains in this special way.”

Walkers pose on the summit of the mountain. Photo: Nick Landells/Lakeland Photo Walks

The event raised £1,200 for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, the umbrella body for rescue teams and search dogs in Cumbria. Over the past five years, the torchlit events have brought in almost £4,000 for the organisation.

Mr Le Voi said: “I cannot thank those that attended the event enough. I must of course extend my thanks to the excellent guiding team who kept spirits high and of course kept everyone safe throughout the night.”

He said he plans to repeat the Striding Edge by Torchlight event next year on 17 October. Terry Abraham’s film is due to premiere at Rheged near Penrith on 9 and 10 May 2020.