Intrepid walkers are venturing into the wilderness to raise money for a hospital.

The four friends are travelling to Knoydart in the Scottish Highlands for a week-long trek to raise money for the paediatric intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

The walk has been organised by regulars at the Wuthering Heights pub in Stanbury, who want to raise £2,000 to buy new bedding accessories. Landlord Terry Walker will be joined by experienced hikers Hilary Wignall, Nicholas Wilkins and Stephen Smith.

Stephen says the idea came about during a conversation with his friend Rod Johnson. Rod says: "My niece Cheri had a serious road accident in 1996. She received such good care at the unit that we wanted to do something to thank them."

After a long spell in the intensive care unit 17-year-old Cheri is well on the way to a full recovery.

The team of explorers will set off from the pub at midnight on Sunday, in a 4x4 vehicle supplied by Dixons of Leeds. The area they will be exploring is between Fort William and Fort Augustus, at the end of Loch Ness, in the west of Scotland.

To celebrate their return, staff and friends at the pub are planning a 'welcome home' party. The fundraising event will include a raffle of items donated by various companies.

The event, at the Wuthering Heights, takes place on Saturday, April 4, at 8pm, and everyone is welcome.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.