GRANDFATHER Leslie Hart will be making the trip of a lifetime to climb Africa's highest mountain Kilimanjaro and raise vital funds for a bone marrow charity.

Leslie, 49, of Whalley Road, Read, is no stranger to hill climbing having stood on top of nearly every peak in the Lake District and climbed Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis in Scotland.

He said: "I read about the trip in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. The climbing won't be a problem but I will have to get accustomed to the altitude."

He will fly to East Africa in January next year and the climb will begin at 4,000ft. Over the next seven days, Leslie and 24 other walkers will climb to the 20,000ft summit, fortunately with porters to carry their rucksacks.

The trip has been arranged to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and Leslie has a target of £2,950 to make the trek.

Already the ICI worker, who cycles 15 miles from Read to Clitheroe and back each day for his shift, has raised half the total, thanks to his employers matching his own contribution and sponsorship from colleagues.

He said: "I am planning to hold a fundraising evening and have written to many people to get autographed items to auction. I already have a bottle of wine signed by the Emmerdale character Eric Pollard.

"I am going to write to the Blackburn and Burnley football teams to ask for autographed shirts and balls and if anyone has a collectable autographed item I could auction I would be grateful if they could contact me."

Anyone who can help raise money for the trip can contact Leslie on 01282 774545.