GARSTANG solicitor and former Preston Grasshopper Geoff Tomlinson is to scale Africa's most famous landmark to help take urgently needed aid to the region.

Geoff, who has never climbed higher than 3,000ft before, will attempt the 19,340ft Mount Kilimanjaro in June as part of a major fund-raising effort by the Christian charity Saltmine.

The trip, organised to raise funds for several projects in Africa, will take the 39-strong party of Britons from tropical rainforest to snow and ice at the summit.

Medical relief work in Egypt, relief work in Uganda and Tanzania and projects in Zimbabwe will all benefit from the expedition.

Geoff, who heads the Garstang branch of solicitors Napthen, Houghton and Craven, will be the only North West representative in the team and is putting himself through punishing training schedules to get himself fit for the eight-day trek.

He said: "The climbing is one thing, but because of the extreme variations in weather conditions we will be passing through, we really will have to be in peak physical condition for the trek.

"The main worry will be altitude sickness when we reach the final stages of the climb - the lack of oxygen at that height makes it quite a big risk, but our own preparation together with the medical assistance we will have with us should see us through.

"Having never climbed such a high mountain before I know it will be very physically demanding so I am putting in as much walking and other endurance training as is possible."

Geoff, 45, is no stranger to exercise - he played for the Grasshoppers for 20 years.

He hopes to raise £3,500 in sponsorship and has already hit the £2,500 mark, thanks mainly to friends at Fulwood Free Methodist Church and business clients.

Geoff leaves for Africa on June 1 and anyone wishing to support his climb can contact him on 01995 603330.

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