Ed Jackson, right, and Ross Stirling

A quadriplegic adventurer will set out at the weekend on a quest to reach the summits of 12 British mountains.

Ed Jackson will be joined in his 12 Peaks of Christmas challenge by fellow climber Ross Stirling.

The pair aim to raise funds for two charities and will undertake the ascents while carrying a Christmas tree on their backs.

Jackson, an ambassador for outdoors brand Berghaus, was a professional rugby player until an accident in 2017 caused serious spinal injuries, resulting in paralysis from the shoulders down. He slowly regained some use of his limbs, but he is now an incomplete quadriplegic, with limited movement down one side of his body and no feeling on the other. He also has problems with bladder and bowel control.

Berghaus Adapts, a recent innovation by the brand, has helped modify his clothing to help him in his mountaineering quests, and earlier this year he summited two 4,000m peaks in the Swiss Alps.

On 19 December, Jackson and Stirling will begin their challenge on Càrn Mòr Dearg in Lochaber, followed by Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. From there, they will head to the Lake District to tackle Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Scafell Pike and Great Gable, before moving on to the Dales to tackle the Yorkshire Three Peaks, Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent.

The 12 Peaks of Christmas will conclude in north Wales, with Tryfan, Glyder Fawr and finally Snowdon on Christmas Eve, which was the first major mountain that Jackson climbed after he was able to walk again. If successful, the pair will have climbed 11,490m (37,697ft).

The men will raise money for two charities: Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation, which Ed Jackson founded to create positive change through outdoor adventure for people who are facing mental health challenges following adversity in their lives. In addition, 50 per cent of money raised by the 12 Peaks of Christmas will be donated to War Child and its Afghanistan emergency appeal. With more than 400,000 people fleeing from their homes in search of safety because of recent events, the climbers said the children of Afghanistan need support more than ever.

Ed Jackson said: “Christmas is a time for gratitude, cheer and hope, but for some it instead puts the spotlight on what was and could have been.

“Trauma, be it physical or psychological, can steal hope from anyone. We want to give that back by raising money to support the Millimetres 2 Mountains grant funding programme and the vital work of War Child in Afghanistan.

“Ross and I are well aware that carrying a tree while attempting the 12 Peaks of Christmas is going be very hard work, but we’re determined to make it to the summit of Snowdon on Christmas Eve, which is where my post-accident journey in the outdoors really began.

“As always, I’m hugely grateful to Berghaus for making some brilliant adaptations to kit that will help keep me moving in the mountains, and to everyone else who is supporting us.”

Donations to the 12 Peaks of Christmas appeal can be made via the justgiving website. People will also be able to find the latest updates during the challenge by following @EdJackson8 on Instagram.

• Read our full-length interview with Ed Jackson and top climber Leo Houlding where the pair describe Jackson’s first venture into alpine mountaineering.