THREE months ago they did not even own a pair of hiking boots – but now James Espin and his two children aim to scale the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours.

James, who lives in Easingwold, his 16-year-old son, Tom, and 20-year-old daughter, Laura, are part of a team of seven walkers taking part in the National Three Peaks Challenge.

The trio will be joined by Laura’s boyfriend, John Charlton, his brother Mike, their father, Tony, and family friend, Jette Emsley.

Starting at 4pm on Friday, they have only 24 hours to climb to 1,344m above sea level at Ben Nevis, 978m at Scafell Pike and 1,085m at Snowdon, with a 500-mile drive between the three mountains.

James, who is The Press’s newspaper sales manager, said: “It was my idea and I don’t quite know why. I just fancied doing something different that would give us a focus and raise some funds for a worthwhile cause.”

James, Tom and Laura are hoping to raise £1,000 for the charity CAST, which runs projects to improve the quality of life of people experiencing hardship in Belarus, Bulgaria, India, Romania and Uganda.

Laura, who is studying psychology at Sheffield University, will travel to Romania next month to spend two weeks as a volunteer for the charity, helping to care for orphans and adults with learning disabilities.

James said: “In order to get the training done we’ve been obliged to go out in all conditions.

“Last week, my son and I were almost blown off our feet at the top of Ingleborough and I have to admit I can’t quite see the sense of enjoyment in that. But when the weather’s been fine I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Over the past three months we’ve scaled as many peaks as time has permitted, including Scafell, which we wanted to do because that’s the one we are doing in the middle of the night.

“We wanted to be familiar with the path, particularly as all vegetation disappears for the last few hundred feet and it gets a bit rocky.”

To enable James and his team to sleep while travelling between the mountains, they will be supported by three drivers – James’s wife, Debbie, Tony’s wife, Gill, and Jette’s husband, Chris.

To sponsor them, send cheques made payable to Life Improvement For Everyone to James Espin, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.