AN IT manager from Lostock is embarking on an adventure of a lifetime in aid of charity.
Gareth Price, of Milverton Close, is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for children’s charity, the NSPCC.
He will be joined on the 5,895-metre, or 19,340-foot, climb up the world’s tallest free-standing mountain by friend Bill Wright, from Falkirk in Scotland.
They will start the trek in Tanzania on February 17 and expect it to take six days - five to reach the summit, and one to get back down.
Mr Price, aged 51, decided to challenge himself to the big climb in November 2006 to force himself into getting fit. He had been a keen walker in the past but found it increasingly difficult as he became less fit.
He said: “Committing to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has pushed me into doing exercise again.
“The climb is going to be really tough but we’re looking forward to it. We’ve both done a fair bit of walking in the UK before but nothing quite on this scale.”
The walkers have raised £2,000 between them for the NSPCC, through sponsorship from friends and family.
Mr Price said: “I think the work the charity does for children is excellent.”
He started training for the trip last year. He changed his diet, started going to the gym and lost five stone in the process.
In August Mr Price and Mr Wright completed the English 3000, a challenge to climb the eight mountains which rise above 3,000ft in the Lake District.
Tomorrow (sat) he takes part in a fundraising mini-triathlon which his gym, David Lloyd in Chorley Street, Bolton, agreed to host when they heard about Mr Price’s plans.
Entry for the triathlon - which includes a 20 length swim, a 10-mile cycle and a three-mile run - is open to everyone and costs £5. The gym will waive the fee for every entrant who raises more than £20.
Mr Price is hoping the event will raise an extra £1,000 for the charity.
Gym manager Debbie Halls said: “We want as many people as possible to come to the gym on Saturday to either take part or support our mini-triathlon and help raise money for Gareth’s mammoth challenge.”
