Teacher in extreme cello challenge

An Ely teacher plans to play his cello at the top of some of Britain's highest mountains to raise money for charity.

Cellist James Rees, a religious studies teacher at King's School in Ely, will climb Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike, Snowdon and Carantouhill in Ireland in July and play his instrument at the summits.

Mr Rees is a member of the three-strong 'Extreme Cellists', along with German teacher Claire Wallace and statistician Jeremy Dawson, which has raised more £10,000 over the past five years.

The group hopes that the latest venture will net them £10,000 for spinal-injury charity Aspire and mountain rescue.

Mr Rees revealed that the flat landscape of East Anglia has affected his training regime, but he has found somewhere to practice for his challenge.

"Cherry Hill, next to the King's School, is the best there is and at least I have a wonderful view of the cathedral to inspire me as I plod up and down," he said.

In 2003, the Extreme Cellists carried out their first challenge and played six locations in one day, including the top of Mam Tor and Sheffield University's Arts Tower, to raise £1,800 for the music fund at Westways Primary School in Sheffield.