Hi-vis jackets emblazoned with the words Johnny’s Angels and Primark woollen mittens were probably not the ideal clothing to wear during a night-time trek up the highest mountain in Wales.

But for grandmother Lynda Dixon, who lives in Southfleet Avenue, New Barn, it was all part of a challenge which left her with lasting memories and more than doubled her fundraising target.

Lynda, 52, set herself the tall order of tackling the Snowdon Midnight Challenge in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society to say thank you to the charity for its support of her father, John O’Brien.

Together with her sister, Kerry O’Brien and friend Debbie Lenderyou and simply aided by head torches, Lynda scaled the mountain in five hours. They raised £3,000 between them.

The trio had hoped to enjoy the sunrise once they reached the 1,085m summit but sadly the weather was against them.

“It was warm at the bottom but then it rained continuously, the wind got up and they said it was minus 6 at the top but it felt more like minus 10,” said Lynda.

“There were all these people in proper walking gear while we had hi-vis jackets with Johnny’s Angels on them. We looked like a hen party.

"We started walking at 10.45pm and in complete darkness. I can’t believe how much I underestimated it.

"I was exhausted and very shell-shocked but we did it for my dad and the charity which makes it all worthwhile. When I told him what we had done it was quite emotional and he had a tear running down his cheek.”

Lynda set herself an individual fundraising goal of £450 but collected £1,000. Her cashpot was boosted when her friends at Meopham Lawn Tennis Club held a mini tournament in support of her cause.

The mum of two is now contemplating whether to return to Snowdon for a second challenge.

“It is a bit like giving birth,” she said. “At first you can’t even talk about it and then after a while you forget the bad parts and think about going back there again!”