An Onchan man is set to take on three different Three Peaks Challenges around the UK on three consecutive days.

Gary Thomas will be raising funds for Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man.

Mr Thomas is a keen mountaineer and a Cruse volunteer.

The first challenge will be taking place on Tuesday, July 19, when he will start with the Yorkshire Tree Peaks Challenge.

He will follow this with the The National Three Peaks Challenge and then the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.

Over the three days, Mr Thomas will do more than 1,000 miles of driving around the country from the Yorkshire Dales to the Scottish Highlands and back down to the Brecon Beacons in South Wales.

He will also conquer 64 miles (102 km) of walking and almost 7,000 metres (22,865 feet) of climbing.

To compare, Mount Everest is 8,848 metres and Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,895 metres.

Mr Thomas will be assisted by his friend Steve, who will be doing all the driving and cooking and will also be there for medical support and encouragement.

Mr Thomas said: ‘Training has been underway right from the point of challenge conception late last year and has included lots of walking over various distances, various terrains and through many differing weather conditions.

‘This has been intermingled with some cycling to ease the hard impact.

‘My motor vehicles have sat redundant for the last few months.

‘The hardest part has been getting nutrition and sports fuelling correct for the challenge itself, but after some fantastic advice, it has finally come together and now I feel confident that I am ready for the challenge in the next few days.’

He added: ‘Being a volunteer and providing the care we do is extremely rewarding, but to give something back to Cruse by assisting in raising much needed funds is awesome and what better way for an old mountaineer than to complete a challenge in the mountains that I love.

‘This is both a personal challenge and goal of mine and a great opportunity to help an important and worthwhile charity.

‘I would also like to say a big thank you to those organisations that have put funding forward for this to happen and also to ensure all monies given via JustGiving/sponsor form/charity box, go direct to the charity itself.’

Amanda Cafearo, chief executive from Cruse said: ‘We are thrilled that Gary has decided to complete this challenge for Cruse IOM and wish him all the best in completing 9 peaks in just 72 hours.

‘We are looking forward to following Gary’s progress and so grateful to him for raising funds for our bereavement service.’

Mr Thomas has already raised well over £1,400 of his £2,500 target.

He has said online he is humbled by this support.

If you would like to support Gary on his challenge, you can make a donation on his JustGiving page at: justgiving.com/fundraising/gary-thomas34