Captain Tom backs fundraiser’s Three Peaks in diving suit challenge

Captain Sir Tom Moore has endorsed a fundraiser who plans to climb the Three Peaks wearing a 130lb deep-sea diving suit.

Lloyd Scott, who is best known for his world record of taking the longest recorded time to complete a marathon, will be climbing Britain's three tallest mountains over an eight-day period.

The ascent of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon will be Mr Scott's final charity challenge, after raising over £5 million across 30 years for charitable causes.

The 100-year-old met Mr Scott at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedford, and even won a short race against the veteran fundraiser in his diving suit.

Mr Scott's first charity challenge was the 1987 London Marathon, which he completed after being diagnosed with leukaemia. He has since completed an Everest marathon, an underwater marathon, and cycled a Penny Farthing across Australia.

"I needed the finality of saying an event was my last and I was going out on top," Mr Scott said.

"The last I had done was the Malden mud race in 2014. It took seven guys tying a rope around me to get me over the line, so I wasn't going out on that."

Mr Scott will start the 23-mile challenge, involving an ascent of 3,064 metres, on October 4.

"Knowing that my family can be there at the end, and that both my boys and brother can come along means so much," he said.

"Sadly, my dad passed away in February, but I'll have his red fleece that he wore on all his adventures with me."

Mr Scott will be raising money for The Lord's Taverners, a youth cricket and disability sports charity, which he has been a member of for 15 years.

'I couldn't think of anyone I wanted to do this for more'

"When I had leukaemia, there was a period where I couldn't play any sport. It's only when you have something, and it's taken away from you and that you realise how important it is," he said.

"The thought of children out there that may not experience the thrill, excitement, enjoyment of sport really resonates with me. I couldn't think of anyone I wanted to do this for more."

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Sir Tom will not be joining Mr Scott at any stage of the challenge.

To see donations to The Lord's Taverners, visit: donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/lloydscotts3peakschallenge