A MAN is pushing himself to his limits to raise money for charity in memory of his father-in-law.

Paul Starkie, 44, has signed up to take part in an Everest base camp trek, starting on March 22.

The chicken farmer, from Back Lane, Baxenden, aims to raise at least £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation after his father-in-law Peter Ashburner died five years ago, aged 73, from a heart attack.

Peter, who said he was being supported in his efforts by wife Anne, said: “I’m doing the climb with Neil Sarsfield, a friend of mine from Accrington, who emigrated to Australia.

“We’re going to be meeting in Kathmandu and joining a group of 10 others on the organised trek in Nepal.

“I lost my father-in-law five years ago. He had a couple of heart attacks and while he was in hospital he had a major heart attack and died.

“I have run the family business since his death and I felt like I needed to do something challenging while I am still able to.

“I have been training for the last six months, doing lots of cycling and treadmill work. I have lost a stone so far. I have been watching DVDs of other treks and speaking to others who have completed the trek.

“Life is short and if you’re in a position where you can do something, do it while you can.

“The trek should take around 10 days to get to the base camp, and that’s walking six or seven hours a day.

“We will start at 10,000ft at Luklar and climb to around 18,000ft. The only thing that concerns me is altitude sickness.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Some people have said I’m nuts. Others have said good on me for doing it in memory of my father-in-law.”

Paul hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation. He is also planning a trip up Ben Nevis, Scotland, in June in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society because his father has the disease.

To donate log on to www. justgiving.com/poultrypaul.