Miles high!

For Osborne Road resident Miles Tackett is hoping to raise £5000 for a wildlife charity by scaling the world's highest active volcano.

Miles aims to climb Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador, which is 19,347ft high. He says his proudest moment will be reaching the summit of the Andes volcano on the morning of July 22 this year.

He explained: "I am not underestimating the scale of this challenge, and I am all too aware of the potential for failure.

"The real reason for my pride on that day, and the factor that I believe will force me to reach the summit, is that all my physical and mental effort will ultimately be in aid of the John Muir Trust."

Since 1983 the trust has bought and managed key rural areas, such as Ben Nevis. It takes its name from the Scot John Muir, who was the first person to call for practical action to safeguard the world's wildernesses at the turn of the century, and said: "Do something for wilderness and make the mountains glad."

Miles says that although the charity is not a "household name" its work is important. "By acquiring and sensitively managing key wild areas, the trust sets out to show that the damage inflicted on the world over the centuries can be repaired, and the great spiritual qualities of wilderness, tranquillity and solitude can be preserved as a legacy for those to come.

"Most recently the trust purchased Ben Nevis. The management of this area is costly enough in itself. But combined with the management costs of a further 19,000 hectares in Scotland, and plans to expand into other key areas in the UK, the trust is dependent upon financial support.

"It is for this reason that I am taking part in the trek this summer."

And Miles is appealing for local businesses to boost his fund raising by making donations. "I would be truly grateful for any donation whatsoever to help me help the John Muir Trust to safeguard and conserve wild places for us all."

Anyone who can help can contact Miles by e-mail at m.tackett@iclway.co.uk or phone him on (07092) 112689.