Mountain man plans flag tribute

Blyth Spartans press officer Mark Carruthers is in training to plant the club's flag on top of Briton's three highest mountains and raise more than £1000 for charity.

The Royal Navy's HMS Blyth proudly flies the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit's flag already and the 30-year-old PR man is gearing up to take it to new heights. In March he's undertaking the tough National Three Peaks Challenge for Parkinsons UK alongside his friend Mark Rutter from the Fast Feet Football Academy and Newcastle United's Head of Media Wendy Taylor.

Carruthers says his Premier League counterpart has the edge on him as she's already tackled the Alps for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. He's more worried about the race against time he is in to get fit and lose weight before setting off to climb Mount Snowdon on March 3 followed by Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Scotland's Ben Nevis within 24 hours.

Competitors walk an estimated 26 miles and ascend nearly 10,000 feet and Carruthers, who chose to raise funds for Parkinsons UK in memory of his grandfather who passed away 20 years ago, insists regular gym workouts and a considered diet are definitely the order of the day to get in shape in time.

Carruthers said: "Ben Nevis the highest of the three and will be a big test for the last day but Snowdon is actually the hardest to climb. It's fair to say I need to push myself. The Challenge is unforgiving so I have to be very disciplined.

"I try to get to the gym three or four times a week and takeaway meals are definitively out! On top of that it's all about eating at sensible times and the added exercise of 5-a-aside every week. I've lost a stone already so things are going in the right direction.

He added: "This is a step in to the unknown for me but I've never shirked a challenge. My partner Jaq is right behind me and we have planned a holiday in Portugal in June to relax.

"I will be walking in memory of my Grandfather who passed away 20 years ago and the money I hope to raise will go to Parkinsons UK. The target is to raise £1000 but if we can get anywhere near that we will be pleased."

Spartans General manager Ian Evans is looking forward to seeing a Spartans flag unfurled on the three summits in six weeks time. "Everyone at the Spartans is right behind Mark and we wish him all the best," said Evans.

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor urged fans to back the trio's bid to conquer the mountains. "It's an incredible challenge particularly as I hear the lads have never attempted this kind of physical test before," he said.

"I know they've put a lot of hard work into preparing for this. It's a really fantastic cause so they are raising money for so, on behalf of all the team at Newcastle United, I wish them all the best!"

To donate visit Carruthers’ Just Giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/Marky1982PUK.

Alternatively, donations can be made by texting the code MPUK82 followed by a space and then your amount in pounds to 70070. For example, to give £5 you would text MPUK82 5.