A GROUP of boxers from a Tranent gym will tackle the highest mountain in Scotland to raise money for a children’s cancer ward that supported a coach’s godson through leukaemia.

John McCallum, 43, of the Bronx Boxing Gym, has rallied fellow coaches, friends and family to swap their gloves for boots and tackle Ben Nevis for Children’s Cancer North next Saturday (May 21).

John said: “My godson was diagnosed with leukaemia and was treated at ward 4/14 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

“They were fantastic with him and the family and we would like to help the ward with a charity walk.

“We want to give something back.”

About 62 people will take part in the charity walk and the walkers – aged from 14 to 70 – have been preparing with weekly treks across the Pentland Hills and various hill climbs before the big day.

Last year, John and others braved the climb up the 1,345-metre mountain under unusual circumstances.

John said: “We climbed Ben Nevis during a yellow weather warning last year and it took us four hours to get up and four hours to get down.

“That was battling wind, rain and snow, so hopefully the weather will be kinder this time round.”

The Tranent resident said that anyone could be touched by cancer and hoped the town would rally round the group to raise as much money as possible.

So far, nearly £7,000 has been raised.

To donate, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bronxboxinggym