A TEAM of trekkers have completed an “emotional and overwhelming” mountain climb in memory of a beloved family man who died.

Amber Will, Kieran Burgess, Colby Will and Tone Wheeler scaled Britain’s highest peak Ben Nevis in Scotland over the course of eight and a half gruelling hours.

They confronted the 1,352-metre-tall ascent on March 30, which marked exactly one year since the death of Amber and Colby’s uncle, Mitchell Nicolaou.

Mitchell, who had owned the Clean Inn, in Station Road, Clacton, for 20 years, died at the age of 54leaving his family devastated.

FAMILY MAN: Mitchell Nicolaou, from Clacton, died last March aged 54

FAMILY MAN: Mitchell Nicolaou, from Clacton, died last March aged 54

In addition to taking on the climb in Mitchell’s memory, the group also tackled it to raise awareness of mental health and to raise money for Mind.

Their efforts have generated more than £8,000 – a figure which makes having to endure the pain of climbing the mountain all the more worthwhile.

STUNNING VIEWS: The group confronted a 1,352-metre-tall ascent

STUNNING VIEWS: The group confronted a 1,352-metre-tall ascent

Speaking about the challenge, Amber, 25, said: “It felt amazing to reach the top, it was also emotional and overwhelming - we said we were going to do it and we did.

“We tried to keep contact with the rest of the family on our journey up, which also helped everyone on a difficult day on the first anniversary of Mitchell’s death.

PUSHING ON: The trekkers inspiration was Mitchell Nicolaou, who died last year

PUSHING ON: The trekkers' inspiration was Mitchell Nicolaou, who died last year

“I still can’t believe the donations we have and the amount of money we have raised and I’m glad we can help Mind and people who struggle with mental health.”

During the painstaking climb, the group experienced moments of mental and physical exhaustion but they never gave in.

“The views were spectacular but it was also challenging and the one that got me was when we got to the snow and had to get our winter gear and crampons on.

TOUGH TIMES: The team endured moments of struggle but never gave in

TOUGH TIMES: The team endured moments of struggle but never gave in

“Stopping for a small amount of time, my body temperature fell quickly and I found that very hard at that point mentally, but I pushed through.

“The reason we did the climb was the inspiration for us to keep pushing to the top.

“We had so much support from everyone and we had some people at the bottom as well waiting for us so that’s why we all pushed to the top and back down.”