A 28-STRONG team battled through the heat earlier this month as they took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in memory of loved ones lost to bowel cancer.

After 40-year-old Darren Mason passed away in April due to bowel cancer, the gruelling challenge was organised in his memory on Saturday, July 16.

Darren, from Earlestown, is the latest family member to have passed away from bowel cancer, which was brought on by an inherited gene, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP).

St Helens Star: Darren with his fiancé and daughterDarren with his fiancé and daughter

The condition can result in an excessive amount of cells developing on a person's colon, and Darren died due to complications with his FAP treatment as cancerous cells had spread throughout his body.

In honour of Darren and those previously lost to bowel cancer, the fundraiser held extra significance as other family members also possess the FAP gene including Darren's 11-year-old daughter.

St Helens Star: Chris Mason with his brother Andy and sister JackieChris Mason with his brother Andy and sister Jackie

Raising money for Bowel Cancer UK to help fund research and treatment into the illness, the 28-strong team raised more than £7,000 for the charity.

Although only 17 managed to complete the Three Peaks, Darren's brother Chris said that "everyone gave it a good go" in memory of the dad-of-one.

St Helens Star: The family's Three Peaks challenge was in memory of Darren MasonThe family's Three Peaks challenge was in memory of Darren Mason

Chris said: "With the hot weather, the challenge was horrendous.

"But it was also very emotional because the only reason we all got through it was because it was for Gareth.

"His fiancé stayed on the challenge the whole way and no matter how long it took, put one foot in front of the other and kept going for him."

St Helens Star: Darren is described as someone who had a lot of "heart and courage"Darren is described as someone who had a lot of "heart and courage"

After the Yorkshire fundraiser, the family now plan to take on further challenges to continue raising money for bowel cancer research.

Describing Darren as someone with "heart and courage", Chris added: "We want to keep going with the fundraising events as it can support research into the condition for our kids.

"But I also promised my mum that I would keep Darren's memory alive and this is one thing that I can do to do that."

To continue raising money for bowel cancer research, you can follow their fundraiser here.

St Helens Star: The challenge helped to raise more than £7k for Bowel Cancer UKThe challenge helped to raise more than £7k for Bowel Cancer UK