Firefighters grappled with freezing temperatures and gales as they scaled the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland to raise cash for a Cystic Fibrosis charity.

A crew from Bethnal Green fire station took on the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which has helped watch manager Martin Warrilow’s nine-year-old daughter Jenna fight the condition.

The nine man team climbed Scotland’s Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, England, and Snowdon in Wales – completing the epic journey in just under 22 hours.

They encountered sub-zero temperatures, gale force winds and snow on Ben Nevis during their gruelling expedition on June 23.

Martin said: “It was about as tough as I thought it would be. It was hard enough getting up there, spending 11 hours in a minibus!”

His wife, who works at Plaistow fire station, also completed the challenge for the charity.

Cystic Fibrosis affects around 10,000 people across the UK, and causing problems to sufferers’ lungs and digestive systems.

And the team, from the fire station in Roman Road, has now raised almost £1,000 for the Trust, which helps fund research into treatments and potential cures for the condition.

“The support you get from them and the level of information is really helpful,” Martin said of the charity.

The ages of the crew range from their 20s to 49 – but they still managed to beat a time they set three years ago by 10 minutes, despite the adverse weather conditions.

To sponsor the team, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/bethnalgreenbluewatch.