A COURAGEOUS family took on an epic mountain climbing challenge to honour their brother who died from suicide last year.

Scaling some of the UK’s highest peaks, Lisa Bennett, 36, joined her husband, brother and his wife as they tackled three gruelling peaks.

The spirited group climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike (England) and Snowdon (Wales) over a 24 hour period in honour of Rian Monteforte, 28, who tragically took his own life.

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Lisa told the Ayr Advertiser: “Rian died in August last year and it completely tore our world apart, because we had no idea it was coming.”

“There were so signs. Rian wasn’t an addict or an alcoholic or had any mental health diagnosis. He was a father to two beautiful children, he had a good job and he was married.

“There was no reason that we could find for him to do what he done, but that’s why it’s a silent killer and people need to know that it could happen to absolutely anyone.”

With only two hikes to their name, the task ahead could not have been tougher, but with help from more experienced hiking pals, they got through it.

Lisa told the Ayr Advertiser: “It was an amazing feeling to complete it. One of the girls who had organised she had bottles of beers waiting for us. It was really was monumental.

“We had done it having never really hiked before, and because knowing that the charities would get the exposure they deserved and really getting it out there to people.”

The group started at Ben Nevis where they hiked up 1,345 metres in a journey that took them 6hrs 23 minutes.

From there they jumped on a bus and headed south to England’s top mountain, Scafel Pike in the Lake District for a 3hrs 45 minute climb. Then it was back on the mini-bus down to Snowdon in Wales, where they hiked for 4hrs 50 minutes.

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A toast to Rian was taken at each peak with his favourite drink Honey Jack Daniels.

The team also raised thousands for some special charities who have helped them cope with the devastating loss of Rian.

They managed to raise £2,325 through a just giving page, smashing their target of £1,000 and the funds are set to be split up between Touched by Suicide, Cruise and local mental health support group Minds over Matter.

Lisa hopes it will bring more awareness to the services out their across Ayr, she added: “Touched by suicide Scotland are a charity who offer a support group monthly to people who have been bereaved by suicide, because it’s such a different death to anything else. They offer a monthly support group where we can go long and speak to people who have similar experiences.

“Cruise Scotland they offer grievance of grief counselling to people who need that time to sit and chat, and then Minds over Matter, the lovely Caitlyn.

“She started the support group which I’m not entirely sure if Rian would have went there, but just having that knowing that they can go and use it and it’s a free service, that’s fantastic.”