A man spent his birthday scaling the UK’s highest mountain with a 100kg barbell on his shoulders to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND) research.

Mountain rescuer David Dooher, 38, spent six months training for the epic climb up Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands.

The Guinness World Record attempt was in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity set up by former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir.

The much-loved sportsman died last year at the age of 52 following a six-year battle with MND.

Ben Nevis is the country’s highest mountain at 1,345m (around 4,413ft).

Mr Dooher started the hike on his birthday at 7pm on Wednesday and reached the summit on Thursday afternoon.

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Mr Dooher, from Uddingston in South Lanarkshire, said: “It feels amazing to be finished – very sore and tiring – but amazing.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tougher than expected, but this wasn’t meant to be easy, and there was no greater motivator than who I’m doing this for: Doddie’s memory and everyone affected by MND.”

Mr Dooher completed several mountain climbs to prepare for the challenge. He carried a 95kg weight up Ben Vorlich and 75kg up Ben Lomond.

Paul Thompson, director of fundraising at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We are blown away by David’s efforts. His training alone is unthinkable. We are very grateful to him, and to everyone who has donated.”

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