A PAIR of York friends have raised more than £700 for charity by scaling Mount Snowdon in baking heat.

Hannah Bartlett and Esha Young, who are both 14 and have been friends since they were at primary school, climbed the highest mountain in Wales – which stands 3,560 feet above sea level – during last Saturday’s heatwave.

Accompanied by their fathers, Bill and Gordon, they made it to the summit from Pen y Pass in only two-and-a-quarter hours as temperatures soared towards the 80s.

Hannah, who lives in Wigginton, said: “It was a great achievement getting to the top in such a good time.

“We only stopped three times and had to make sure our dads didn’t lag behind too much!”

Esha, from Haxby, said she was delighted with the climb.

She said: “It was a real challenge as it was a very hot day, but great fun and all for a very good cause.

“The views from the top were stunning.”

The girls, who met when they attended Ralph Butterfield Primary School in Haxby and both now go to Bootham School, are now busy collecting in excess of £600 in sponsorship money from families and friends.

Mr Bartlett said the girls were raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charity, which provided free accommodation for families with children in hospital and hospices across the UK.

He said the charity was chosen because it was supported by McCains of Scarborough, where he worked.

He revealed he and Mr Young had suggested the climb and the girls had immediately been “up for the challenge”, and they had completed the day without blisters or heat stroke.

He said that dads and daughters would now look at taking on another sponsored challenge next year.