A team of New Malden workmates will take on the might of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, in memory of former colleague Ian Rattenbury, who recently died of cancer.

Staff from recruitment company Hays have already raised more than £4,500 for Marie Curie Cancer Care ahead of their planned trip up the 4,405ft peak on June 27.

Mr Rattenbury was described as a man who loved life and thrived on adventure, and never changed his outlook or dry sense of humour, even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2009.

The climbers will be joined in their effort by Mr Rattenbury’s wife and three of his close friends, with the proceeds going to help Marie Curie nurses support and comfort others in the situation the former IT worker faced before his death on March 28.

Climber Sean Earlam, the company’s IT Project Manager, said: “We are really excited about this challenge.

“Marie Curie is an incredibly worthwhile charity and we are all working and training hard to make sure that we are ready for Ben Nevis, and able to raise as much money as possible.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team can visit justgiving.com/haysbennevis.

• For more of what’s on, go to our Events section