A brave parent is aiming to climb the tallest mountain in Europe to raise money for his son's school.

Sheikh Ahmed, whose son Sulayman attends Holly Grove School in Burnley, will be taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Elbrus, on the Russia-Georgia border, on Friday.

Flying out on Tuesday to start his expedition, Mr Ahmed is doing it all to raise money for the Georgia Fourie Butterfly Fund, which helps the children of Holly Grove School and their families.

Holly Grove caters for pupils with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities from ages two to 11.

Mr Ahmed said: "Like most people I had very little experience/contact with a special needs school until my child had to attend.

"Over the last two years I have seen the children develop both academically and socially beyond what I could imagine.

"There is no better charity to fund raise for because charity begins locally. I am going through all this to raise money for the pupils of Holly Grove School which will no doubt put a smile on many of their faces."

The mountain, which stands at a whopping 18,510ft above sea level, will see Mr Ahmed having to overcome many challenges, including walking over glaciers, negotiating crevasses, battling against bone chilling temperatures, which get as low as -30c and altitude sickness.

To sponsor Mr Ahmed, visit his JustGiving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/sheikh-ahmed2