Watch: Milton Keynes veteran, 87, becomes oldest person to climb Ben Nevis

John Banfield climbed the UK's highest peak in just five and a half hours - more than 20 years after he first scaled the mountain in Scotland. He even battled a recent rockfall to complete his epic challenge on Armed Forces Day, (June 27), to raise money for Blind Veterans UK. John, a former national serviceman who served from 1958 to 1960, chose Armed Forces Day for the climb as a meaningful way to honour his own forces background while raising money for a charity close to his heart. The journey was made even more challenging thanks to John's own sight loss - but he was accompanied by RAF veteran Gary Thomas, who acted as his guide. John, who lives at ExtraCare’s Shenley Wood Village in Milton Keynes, said his determination and sense of duty helped him through, adding: “I wouldn’t have let anyone down. "It’s do or die. You have to get it done. It’s all in the mind.” John had climbed the mountain once before - 22 years ago, at the age of 67 - but says this time was much more difficult. Despite the challenging journey, John made it to the summit in just five and a half hours. “There’s been a major rockfall on Ben Nevis and it was a challenge,” he said. “It was brutal in some places, but we did it. “I couldn’t believe it. I thought it’d be 10 hours. I was feeling elated. “At the top everyone surrounded me and I raised my hands to cheer, they were all shaking my hand, that was a memory I will never forget. "It brought tears to my eyes.” One fellow climber joked: “I’m 26 years old and you’ve got up here faster than I have.” The challenge also became a joyful source of pride for those living and working at John’s charity-run retirement village, where he has lived for 14 years. John said the climb gave residents and staff something uplifting to share and celebrate together. “It united the village, everyone came together to support me and cheer me on,” he said. John, who has raised £1,225 through the climb, hopes his story encourages others to step beyond what they think is possible. “Get out of your comfort zone,” he added. “It doesn’t matter how fit you are, you never know what’s around the corner. "I just wake up every morning and think, ‘I’m still here. I’m glad to be alive’.” Reflecting on the climb and his life experiences, John said his approach has always been rooted in positivity. He said: “I’m a very positive person. If you think you can do it? You can do it.”