FUNDRAISING friends are climbing mountains to raise money for a special baby unit.

Kyle Porter and Steven Drake, both 22, have caught the hiking bug after scaling Mount Snowdon - the highest mountain in Wales.

The friends, who met at Stanway School, topped the mountain in an impressive one hour and 47 minutes, with no training, last weekend.

The way down was slightly more difficult, taking seven hours in the pouring rain, but the pair are gearing up to do three more hikes to raise £1,000.

The cash will go to Colchester Hospitals Charity, after Mr Porter’s twin nephews, Jack and Jamie, were cared for at the neo-natal unit, after being born four months premature.

With £250 already in the bank, Kyle and Steven will climb Scafell Pike, in the Lake District, next month, Ben Nevis in Scotland in September, and Mont Blanc in the French Alps in October.

Mr Porter said: “My nephews were in hospital for a long time.

“The unit was really supportive - they couldn’t do enough for us and made us feel at home.

The security guard, of Wall Mews, Colchester, added: “When we got to the top of Snowdon, it was amazing.

“We sprinted the last half mile."

To donate, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Kyle-Porter.