A GROUP of Keighley men have raised thousands for people in the Gaza Strip by completing a sponsored climb up England's highest mountain.

Asam Hussain, from Long Lee, and Abdul Shukoor, from Highfield led the trek up Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, at the end of last month.

15 people took part in the walk to raise cash for the Wakefield-based charity SKT Welfare, which is helping people made destitute by recent fighting between HAMAS and Israel. The group managed to raise about £6,600.

23-year-old Highfield resident Sikander Shan was among those participating, and said he and his friends had originally hoped to raise £5,000.

Mr Shan, who works at Shan's Supermarket, in Alice Street, added: "Everything went fine, we made it up and down the mountain safely. We took our time and admired the views, and it was a great experience.

"Physically it was quite challenging, but no one found it too hard and we had regular rest stops. The weather was good, as it wasn't too hot or cold."

He said that only three members of the group, including Mr Hussain and Mr Shukoor, had climbed Scafell Pike before. "Hopefully we'll be arranging more activities like this within the community in future," he said.