SPRITELY young footballers tackled the highest mountain in Wales raising £400 for their club.

Marley Lewis-Reid, aged nine, and team-mate Joe Richards, seven, both managed the 1,085-metre climb to the top of Snowdon.

The pair are more often seen on the pitch playing for Worcester Lions Community Football Club.

But they swapped their football boots for walking boots and with the help of Paul Jones, Marley’s gran-dad, and George Richards, the team coach, they managed the gruelling climb in the pouring rain.

The weather was so foul that the four had to get changed three times during the climb which took almost five hours to get to the top and back again.

Marley had been up the mountain already with his grandad last year.

The Lions have four teams and always need money to take the squads on trips.

Di Reid, the club secretary, said: “We were all thinking of how we could raise some money and Marley said: ‘Why don’t I go up and down Snowdon and I’ll get sponsors?’ so that’s how it came about.

“Marley was an inspiration to Joe being the younger of the two and got him motivated. Marley met some friends on the mountain and jollied everyone along.” Once back at the start it was time for the young mountaineers to look back at what they had achieved.

“Home safe it was hot showers, hot chocolate and bed and they slept like logs,” said Mrs Reid.

“The few aches and pains suffered the next day were all worth it as the boys managed to raise about £400 between them and are very proud.”

The money will be used by the club to help buy new kit and equipment.

Worcester Lions are now looking for more children from school years three, four and five to join the teams.

For more details call club secretary Di Reid on 07864 184873 or go to worcesterlionsfc.co.uk l The Lions’ Saturday club is looking for energetic youngsters, aged three to seven, for coaching sessions at Perdiswell Sports Centre which run from 10 to 11am.

For details call Sue Bentley on 07789 408180.