RAINBOWS lit up the skies over the country’s highest mountain as a team of friends reached new heights for a Hampshire charity.

Armed with ice axes, sturdy boots and no experience, childhood pals from Fareham Tom Jeffery, James Broad and Rob Martin tackled Ben Nevis.

Eager for an excuse for a reunion, the trio came up with the idea for the charity climb to raise £1,000 for the Rainbow Centre in Fareham, set up by their friend’s mum Helen Somerset How, to support children with cerebral palsy.

Although Ben Somerset How was unable to join them because he was in training for the London Marathon, the intrepid trio braved the challenge with three others, Ashley Bennett-Freeman, Radolf Hart-George and Hugh Janus. To donate visit justgiving.com/Ashley-Freeman.