A GROUP of Dudley adventurers made it to the summit of Britain's highest peak in what was their toughest expedition yet.

Despite fears amid the coronavirus crisis that the annual peace-making pilgrimage to Ben Nevis in Scotland would have to be cancelled, a team of 23 ventured off from Dudley last week to remember peace campaigner Bert Bissell MBE who scaled the mountain 107 times.

Group members were determined, despite the challenges this year, to go ahead with their charity event in memory of Vicar Street Methodist Church bible class leader Bert who left a peace cairn on the summit at Ben Nevis which is recognised as the highest war memorial in Britain.

After arriving in Fort William, which is twinned with Dudley as a result of Bert's peace campaigning, the team made their way up to the summit of Ben Nevis on Friday August 14 - braving blistering temperatures to reach the top where they laid a wreath on the memorial.

Councillor Steve Waltho, a former Dudley Mayor who headed up the challenge, said "Without doubt this was not only the most stressful visit to date due to Covid-19 limitations but also the toughest climb due to the strength-sapping heat which afforded incredible views from the summit which is rather unusual.

"However, it took its toll with one member having to be escorted off the mountain and another having to be half carried down with exhaustion."

In total, 20 members of the 23-strong team made it to the summit - with Cllr Waltho's wife Jayne, a former Mayoress of Dudley, acting as base commander.

Cllr Waltho, a keen charity adventurer and chairman of Dudley's Bert Bissell Memorial Society, added: "The camaraderie and support amongst the group was phenomenal. People joined the group for a variety of reasons and without doubt the most moving sight of all was five family members of Jules Garratt-Payne, whom we raised funds for last year, all making it to the summit to unfurl her banner after she tragically lost her fight for life last November."

This year's pilgrimage, the seventh annual event, also had special significance as August 15 was the 75th anniversary of VJ Day 1945 when Bert and a group of Dudley lads decided to climb Ben Nevis and start building the peace cairn at the summit.

To mark the anniversary the group gathered at Bert's grave in Glen Nevis Cemetery to pay their respects to the legendary Dudley figure before returning home on August 16.

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A wreath and flowers were placed on his grave and a prayer written by Astley Blake, who still runs Bert's Bible class to this day, was read out by Cllr Waltho and a minute's silence held for those who lost their lives in war and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The intrepid team also included fellow Dudley councillor Simon Phipps - raising money for the Edwards Trust, Bert Bissell Memorial Society vice-chairman and Dudley taxi chief Shaz Saleem - raising money for the Saleem Foundation; and Coseley Scouts chairman Nick Gallagher who was raising funds for his scout group.

All three causes have played a part in the coronavirus crisis and funds can still be donated on JustGiving.com. Search Simon's Bert Bissell Memorial Climb - Ben Nevis, Saleem Foundation and/or Nick Gallagher.