The venture wasn’t without risk. “I was one of these urban muppets that you hear about being taken off by mountain rescue,” explained Simon. “Or I could have been.”

“I was totally unprepared. Trainers, jeans and a shower curtain of a cagoule and that was it.

“I kept going even when people told me to turn back. In a way I shouldn’t have but in every way thank goodness for me that I did.”

Reaching the peak in darkness, Simon scrambled back down with a brand new sense of achievement.

“I stepped out after that climb with completely new purpose and was able to go for some job interviews.

“It changed my life.”