SKIPTON men who attempted to climb Whernside in shorts to raise awareness of men's health issues made the right decision to turn back because of heavy snow.

Ben Ogden, a 23-year-old personal trainer and Matt Payne, 21 also from Skipton, have been taking on a number of challenges over the past few months, to get people to talk about their mental health struggles, after they both realised their own had deteriorated during the pandemic.

The pair's most recent challenge, along with some friends, involved an attempt to climb Whernside - the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

However, their climb, as part of Movember, which raises awareness of men's health, coincided with Storm Arwen. After driving past several fallen trees, they were faced with heavy snow, which saw them ploughing through drifts up to their waists, and forcing them to turn back before reaching the summit.

Ben however, said it still raised awareness for the cause.

Matt, who is a video content creator filmed the challenge which is now available on Youtube. It starts with Ben explaining that the "reason they are doing the crazy challenge is to raise awareness for mental health in guys and lads and also suicide." They strip down to their shorts in the shadow of Ribblehead Viaduct before joining the path up to the summit. After just five minutes, they are beginning the feel the cold, and explain: "it's already really tough but it's for a good cause."

The group were being 'pelted with 65-mile-an-hour snow crystals', and when the temperature dropped to minus 15 degrees, they decided to call it a day.

Speaking afterwards, Ben said: "The snow was up to our waist, so we thought it was best to turn back because it was getting pretty dangerous."

This is the second of Ben's ventures to raise awareness for mental health. His first stunt to 'get people to talk' was when he stood in the middle of Leeds train station with a sign that read 'I get depressed sometimes, it's okay to talk'. After the 'overwhelming' response he had, he decided more needed to be done.

Now, he is holding a live podcast event where he will speak with mental health professionals, and other young men about opening up about mental health issues.

The event will take place at Fl:K Coffee House in Harrogate on December 22 at 7pm. Tickets £10, including refreshments.To book a ticket message @iambenogden on Instagram.

To watch the mountain challenge, visit https://youtu.be/vuWIXXpBQgc.