FRIENDS of a Northallerton man who died from motor neurone disease (MND) ran the Yorkshire Three Peaks in Sunday s blistering heat to raise charity funds. Chris O Brien, 53, died earlier this year, and in his memory, friends pledged to raise funds for the Hambleton and Richmondshire branch of the MND Association. On Sunday, Victoria Howard, of Ingleby Cross, Joe Harker, of Brompton, and Paul Ellis, of Leeming, ran the 24-mile route taking in the famous summits of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Supported by family and friends, including Chris s partner Michelle Barley, the trio took a total of five and three-quarter hours to cover the distance, with its 4,500ft of climbing, as the heat added an extra challenge.