Come rain or shine on Saturday, 15th June, a group of regulars are going to carry a nine gallon, 72 pint barrel of beer weighing 60 kilos (9.45 stones) up to the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

At the top, they will tap (open) the barrel to offer others up there the novel opportunity to enjoy a beer at the highest bar in the land in return for a donation to charity Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

Ben, whose dad Ray opened Lostock Alehouse four years ago and who will be one of the team carriers, said: “We have researched this and as far as we are aware, no one has ever climbed Scafell Pike with a barrel of beer before. It’s a first.

“To catch our breath at the top, we’ll set up a bar. The plan is to raise some funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation by offering fellow climbers a beer to enjoy the view and celebrate their achievement of making it to the summit.”

Ben (front) gets some practice in with team member Andy Hayes watched by dad Ray and partner Sam

placeholder image — Ben (front) gets some practice in with team member Andy Hayes watched by dad Ray and partner Sam

Ben and the team have built a special Roman litter type frame to carry the barrel. They are also allowing themselves four hours to make it up and four hours to get down again before returning to Lostock Alehouse for a special party night that will continue the fundraising. There will be food, a guest vocalist and raffles.

Lostock Alehouse hosts regular events to support both local and national charities. Staff and customers have fundraised for St Catherine’s Hospice, Preston, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chorley, the Deaf Society, Blood Bikes UK and men’s mental health charity the Movember Foundation.

The team was inspired to fundraise for Rosemere Cancer Foundation after Ray lost his father Tom, best friend John Shingleston and just last year, his 56-year-old brother Dean all to cancer. Ben’s nanny Sandra also underwent successful treatment for breast cancer. Ben added: “It’s a very personal connection for us.”

Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region's specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.

The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients' cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk