A MAN from Halwill Junction will climb the highest mountain in Africa next year, to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society.

Andrew Haben is in training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in January, following his father's diagnosis with Alzheimer's Disease several years ago.

In recent months his father's condition has deteriorated rapidly, and he now struggles to remember Andrew.

Andrew said: 'I work as cabin crew, and every time I go to work I fly over various mountains and they all look so awe inspiring, so challenging, and I began to wonder what it would be like to climb one.

'I began thinking and linking things together, like Mum and Dad having new challenges each day, they have mountains to climb in their own ways.

'When looking for help and advice for my mum on the Alzheimer's website, I came across their 'Get Involved' section, and on it was Kilimanjaro.

'I kept going over it in my head and something was nagging me to do it, so I signed up.

'Training involves lots of running, walking, and swimming.

'Being cabin crew, I get access to gyms in hotels that I stay in, but it's the altitude that I can't really train for. I guess that as crew I might have a little advantage, working at different altitudes.'

To reach his £5,000 target, Andrew has received donations from his colleagues, collects every market day at Holsworthy, has charity tins in local shops, and plans to pack bags at the Co-Operative.