Matt Ruane with his guide Ozwaldo Freire on the peak of Cotopaxi

ISLANDER Matt Ruane has raised at least £15,000 for a Jersey charity after spending Christmas climbing the three highest mountains in the Ecuadorian Andes.

The 38-year-old climbed the peaks during the festive period to raise funds for Holidays for Heroes Jersey, which pays for injured servicemen and women to enjoy a holiday in the Island.

Matt, managing director of the marine and aviation division of trust company Vistra, climbed the 18,997 foot Cayambe volcano before scaling Cotopaxi – the world’s highest active volcano at 19,348 feet.

However, Matt was forced to turn back just an hour before reaching the summit of the final peak – Chimborazo – after the guide warned of an avalanche risk. At that point only four out of the original team of 12 were still on the trek.

Matt said: ‘I am pleased that we reached two out of the three peaks, but I’m obviously disappointed that we couldn’t reach the final summit.

‘However, we just couldn’t have gone any higher as the guide said that it wasn’t safe.’
Matt has already collected £15,000 for the charity, which was set up by Islanders Richard and Dawn Woodhouse, but expects more money to be donated during the coming weeks.

He added: ‘Holidays for Heroes Jersey is responsible for galvanising local support for our armed forces and I really like what Richard and Dawn are doing.’