WHEN Neil Elliott agreed to tackle England's three peaks for charity little did he know he'd be battling a chest infection at the time.

But when the struggle became too much, one thought inspired him to continue - the memory of his brother Mike who died last year aged 36.

And the coffers of each chosen charity, St Rocco's Hospice and research into Motor Neurone Disease, have been bolstered to the tune of more than £900 thanks to the efforts of Neil and his friend Colin Ellam.

Neil's brother Mike was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 29. Cared for by his parents he would regularly visit St Rocco's for respite care.

Neil and Colin decided to raise cash for the hospice as a thank you for the care that Mike received during his time there.

Neil, of Lingley Green, said: "Mike was a bit of a home bird but he liked St Rocco's because the staff there are so kind and attentive. He built up a real rapport with them and it was a change of environment for him.

"The support from the hospice was invaluable for my parents because it gave them a break. He was the first person with motor neurone disease to be cared for there and they were so good.

"Mike was a very fit person before he was struck down with motor neurone disease and he was a referee for some of the lower league football clubs so he was very well known in the town. It's thanks to Mike that we've raised so much money for charity because when people heard we were doing it in his memory they wanted to contribute."

Neil adds: "I'd like to think he was proud of me completing the challenge and that he was spurring me on when I thought I was finished. When I started to struggle I'd think of him and find strength I didn't know I had. We managed to get up and down Ben Nevis in six hours and the other two peaks were easier after that."