Fundraiser climbs Ben Nevis in deep-sea diving suit

A veteran fundraiser has reached the summit of Ben Nevis wearing a 130lb deep-sea diving suit, completing the first stage of his final charity challenge.

Lloyd Scott, who is best known for his world record of taking the longest recorded time to complete a marathon, will be climbing Britain’s three tallest mountains over an eight-day period.

Tackling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon will be Mr Scott’s final charity challenge, having raised more than £5m across 30 years for charitable causes.

Mr Scott started the ascent of Scotland’s highest mountain on Sunday and reached the summit on Monday afternoon.

According to Lloyd, the first day had been “pretty wet” and hard work because it was difficult to gain momentum in the heavy diving suit.

“It’s hit me. It has been tougher than I expected,” he said.

“Normally with the diving suit – when I have done marathons and things – you manage to get some momentum going, but with so many steps it hasn’t been like that – it’s almost like doing 10,000 step-ups.

“Probably the worst part for me is getting up at six o’clock in the morning and having to put on a soaking wet, freezing cold, deep-sea diving suit.

“That wasn’t something I was looking forward to. It’s still wet but it’s a bit warmer now.”

Mr Scott will next travel to Scafell Pike on Tuesday and begin his climb the next day.

He said: “It was absolutely great to finish but it’s only a third done.

“Although on the face of it the other two are not going to be so challenging, I have got the fatigue now so it’s going to make them much harder.”

Mr Scott is raising money for The Lord’s Taverners, a youth cricket and disability sports charity, of which he has been a member for 15 years.

Mr Scott’s first charity challenge was the 1987 London Marathon, which he completed after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

He has since completed an Everest marathon, an underwater marathon, and cycled a Penny Farthing across Australia.

Donations to the cause can be made here.