A group of Caroline Flack's close friends and family including Olly Murs and Bradley Simmonds have raised £30,000 for The Samaritans in honour of the late star.

The television presenter's loved ones completed a charity trek on Sunday, climbing 17 peaks across the country in two days.

They took on the challenge after Caroline took her own life aged 40 on February 15 last year, with Caroline's family speaking out after the climb.

Caroline's family said in a statement: 'We want to say a huge thank you to Bradley for organising Climb For Caroline and to every single person who took time out of their busy lives to join in.

'Across the weekend we shared moments of sadness and joy, we stuck together throughout the rain and shine and managed to raise nearly £30,000 for Samaritans.

'Thank you to all of those we met along the way and to those at home who continue to support us'

In a touching tribute to their beloved friend, the group wrote 'C' at the top of every peak they reached in Caroline's lipstick.

One of the peaks they climbed on Sunday did not have a name and they decided to rename it 'Flack's Peak', writing its new name in her lipstick.

Taking to social media, several of those taking part in the challenge, including singer Olly, Caroline's personal trainer Bradley and hair stylist Lou Teasdale, shared clips from the top of the peaks as they battled the wind and rain.

Despite the heatwave across the UK, the group didn't get a glimpse of the sunshine during their climb.

Surrounded by clouds Olly told his 3.5million followers it was 'freezing' as the strong winds could be heard in the background of his video.

Explaining how their knees and feet were sore after the intense trek, Olly said it was all worth it and 'we're doing it for Caz'.

As they made their way up on Saturday the group, including Mollie Grosberg, Lou, Bradley, and Nana Acheampong, smiled from ear to ear and Olly even broke out in song to help motivate them.

But day one of the trip also saw several of the trekkers becoming overwhelmed with emotion as they remembered Caroline, with Lou telling her 4.3 million followers she was already crying early on in the day.

Bradley said they had tackled seven peaks in their first day within 12 hours, including the highest peak in England - Scarfell Pike.

Captioning a series of pictures, including one of himself and Olly posing in front of the impressive views, Bradley wrote: '12 hours was tough but we dug deep and had a great laugh, sharing many memories of out favourite Caroline.'

The group appeared to be having a wonderful time together as they shared insight into their camaraderie on social media, including Bradley sharing a clip of Olly releasing wind after a long day of walking.

Before they set off for their first day at around 6am, Bradley also shared a clip of the group fuelling up with their breakfast in the morning.

He joked along with Olly that he was stocking up on protein and carbs as the singer explained he was trying to wake himself before the long day ahead.

After the day of trekking, the Dance With Me Tonight hitmaker shared a clip of another grey-haired man who had taken part in the trek.

Unfortunately, he appeared to have forgotten to apply suncream on his legs which were bright pink with sunburn except for a white line around his ankles where his socks had been.

Speaking about his motivations for setting up the fundraising mission, Bradley said: 'I was Caroline's personal trainer and good friend. I was devastated by the loss and still am.

'I know how much exercise helped Caroline with her mental health so I wanted to create a challenge where her family and friends can come together and do something powerful in her memory.

'Hopefully this challenge will raise awareness for others to seek support whilst also raising money for Samaritans.'

Olly also shared his involvement with fans on Instagram, writing: 'Hi guys, I'll be taking part in #Climb4Caroline in memory of Cazza this weekend.

'A few of us will be trekking 24 peaks in 24 hours to help raise awareness and hopefully help raise vital funds for leading suicide prevention charity @samaritanscharity. If you'd like to support click on the link in my bio!'

On Climb For Caroline, the Love Island host's family said: 'Thank you to everyone taking part and to those at home who are supporting us.

'Good luck and thank you for taking the time to raise vital funds and awareness for Samaritans.'

Sarah Ball, Head of Fundraising at Samaritans added: 'We are extremely grateful to Bradley for choosing to raise vital funds for Samaritans, which will help us be there at any time of day or night to support anyone who is struggling to cope.

'Suicide is complex and every single death by suicide is a tragedy that devastates families, friends and communities. We wish Bradley and Caroline's friends and family the best of luck on the hills with their fundraising challenge.'

Caroline was found dead on February 15, aged 40, the day after hearing the Crown Prosecution Service would go ahead with a trial for allegedly attacking her model and former tennis player boyfriend Lewis in December 2019.

Back in August, coroner Mary Hassell gave a verdict of suicide, saying: 'I am entirely satisfied she intended to cause her own death. She hanged herself.

'I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty, and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity - it would all come down upon her. To me, that's it in essence.'

It came after her mother, Christine, blasted a senior Met Police officer for appealing against the CPS's decision to give her daughter a caution after her arrest despite officers finding her at the crime scene with an injury caused by self-harm.

Accusing Detective Inspector Lauren Bateman of treating her more harshly due to her celebrity status, Mrs Flack told the inquest: 'She (Caroline) cut her arm (to cause serious injury to herself)... and you were putting an appeal in to get her prosecuted, you never bothered to see her.

'If it had been... an ordinary person, you wouldn't have prosecuted. I see domestic abuse and I just think you should be disgusted with yourself so there is nothing we can do to bring Caroline back.

'I hope in hindsight you do regret this. This girl killed herself because you put an appeal through.'

The 'appeal' referenced an initial decision by prosecutors to issue Flack with a caution, before DI Bateman, the senior Met officer in charge when the celebrity was taken into custody, applied for a formal charge instead. The final decision would have been made by a senior lawyer.

For help call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org