Royston firefighters have climbed the height of Mount Everest twice – in the car park of the town’s Tesco Extra store.

%image(15582498, type="article-full", alt="Firefighters Andy Stone and Richard Balsam pose with Lysa's friend and Harriet Wilkinson in front of a Royston appliance as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

The challenge was in aid of two ladies battling cancer – Lysa Kemp from Meldreth and Royston’s Harriet Wilkerson.

Watch commander Ray Constant said: “The hooter started to begin the climb at 10am sharp and there were plenty of willing volunteers from Royston, both wholetime and retained, with Borehamwood and Baldock making up the numbers during the day. Also station commander Comerford and group commander Gollogly were present to show that they hadn’t lost their touch on the ladder.”

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They smashed their target of 17,696m – the attempt was successfully completed at around 3pm and the distance climbed was 19,080m.

WC Constant added: “The money raised from just shaking the buckets and the fire service volunteers, was an impressive £1,751.96.

%image(15582500, type="article-full", alt="Firefighter Rob shows a total count so far as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

“This total will be divided between the two ladies to help in some small way in their treatments.

“A massive thank you to Russell from Marlow’s Scaffolding for erecting the tower and also to Tesco for not only feeding and watering us throughout the day, but also allowing us the use of the car park on a busy Saturday.”

%image(15582501, type="article-full", alt="L-R Luke Howard, Group Commander Frank Gollogly, Lysa's close friend, Harriet Wilkinson, Mark Evans, and Tyra Kirkham collecting with buckets as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582503, type="article-full", alt="Louie Hammond, aged 5 - who went to cheer on "his heroes" with dad Craig and was excited to be pictured with firefighters Sean Comerford and Luke Howard. Picture: Craig Hammond")

%image(15582504, type="article-full", alt="Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582505, type="article-full", alt="Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582506, type="article-full", alt="Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582507, type="article-full", alt="Andy Stone on his way down as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582508, type="article-full", alt="Group Commander Frank Gollogly descends the donated scaffold rig as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582509, type="article-full", alt="Rob Fortune adds another climb to the total count as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")

%image(15582510, type="article-full", alt="L-R Luke Howard, Group Commander Frank Gollogly, Lysa's close friend, Harriet Wilkinson, Mark Evans, and Tyra Kirkham collecting with buckets as Royston Firefighters Climb at Tesco for charity 2018. Picture: KEVIN RICHARDS")