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Friends v Mountain team from Medway tackle Man v Mountain race up Snowdon for Friends of the Wisdom Hospice

It would appear that Andy Gray’s tendency to take on crazy charity challenges has rubbed off on his son.

Following in his dad’s footsteps Scott Gray, 28, has convinced eight others to join them on a race up the UK’s second highest mountain. The team will be raising money for the Friends of the Wisdom Hospice.

Andy, from Lordswood, said: “Scott was the main protagonist in sowing the seed for the event – some would say he’s taking a leaf out of his old man’s book.

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The team are tackling the Man v Mountain challenge for the hospice
The team are tackling the Man v Mountain challenge for the hospice

“Over the last year or so he has steadily increased his participation in obstacle course races so this seemed a good progression.”

Man v Mountain, or as the team are calling it Friends v Mountain, is a 22-mile challenge starting from sea level at Caernarfon and finishing in Llanberis.

The teams head uphill for 15 miles, ascending 5055ft to the summit of Mount Snowdon, before a winding descent.

Andy added: “It’s not just a run. It’s also an obstacle course which includes some jumping, swimming, climbing and one or two other surprises. The average time to complete the course is just under six hours.”

Watch: the team are at the start line

Already this year, 52-year-old Andy has completed a world record 24-hour golf match and last year he did a challenge a month for the hospice.

But this time he has passed the baton to Scott who as a qualified personal trainer has been helping the team prepare.

They aren’t the only father and son duo on the team with Lance and Ben Fermor also taking part.

Although 56-year-old Lance keeps active by walking, cycling and kayaking, he has not done any serious running for about 20 years so thought it was time to dust off his shoes.

Ben, 29, has calculated that the climb is the equivalent of climbing your stairs 600 times and running 35km.

There are two women on the team, regular triathlete Mariam Simmons and Kirsty Pemble, 34, who was convinced to take up the challenge by Andy, who was her husband’s best man.

Andy Gray, left, and Friends' chief executive Martyn Reeves, right, with the team
Andy Gray, left, and Friends' chief executive Martyn Reeves, right, with the team

A friend of Mariam’s was cared for by the Wisdom Hospice and the 50-year-old said: “They were so kind and thoughtful and made his last days as peaceful and comfortable as they possibly could.”

Also on the team are Martyn Reeves, 52, Lee Tomlinson, 48, Mick Foy, 54, and Damian Connor, 35.

As chief executive of the Friends, Martyn has worked with Andy on many of his fundraising challenges but felt it was about time he joined one of them.

The team left Medway yesterday morning and will take part in the event today before travelling back home on Sunday.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/teams/fvm

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