A GROUP of East Renfrewshire teenagers aim to conquer Ben Nevis in memory of a friend who died suddenly at the age of 14.

Kyle Bremner passed away in December last year after contracting a rare form of meningitis.

His friends have decided to take on Scotland’s highest peak to raise funds for the Meningitis Now charity, as well as keeping Kyle’s memory alive.

The team of 11 third year pupils at Williamwood High School will head to Ben Nevis on June 23, with very little hill-climbing experience between them.

Rory Ireland, one of the group, said: “I had known Kyle since nursery. Everyone who is taking part in this climb had known him for around 10 years.

“We were keen to do an event like this and, when someone suggested taking on Ben Nevis, we decided to go ahead with it.

“We really want to raise as much money as we can and make sure that we keep Kyle’s memory going.”

Friends of Kyle stress that he was extremely well liked and larger than life, despite suffering tragic circumstances during his life.

His mother Jen died in 2015, which prompted Kyle and other members of his family to organise fundraising events for the Maggie’s charity, which provides practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends, free of charge.

This included an emotional video made by Kyle in which he tackled the subject of his mum’s death before revealing a distinctive blue hairstyle in her honour.

His friends have already exceeded their initial funding target of £1,000 for Meningitis Now, with the total currently sitting at just under £1,300.

They now hope to push this figure even higher before they set off on their Ben Nevis trek.

The youngsters admit their mountainous challenge is a step into the unknown but some of their dads will be joining them on the hike to offer support.

Also taking part is Kyle’s dad Brem.

Rory added: “Kyle’s dad has been doing a lot of work, helping us out.

“He has been doing graphics for us, making t-shirts and is also coming along on the walk, which is really great.”

For more information about the fundraising drive or to make a donation, go online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kyle-nevis.