A LATCHINGDON man is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation.

David Winfield, 36, is climbing the highest peak in Africa after coming up with the idea with his brother-in-law last year.

He is hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity.

Mr Winfield said: “I chose this charity because I wanted to do something special, to try and help a child and give them some happiness to make a wish come true.

“The foundation works to support terminally ill children.

“I also wanted to do this for my wife and my three boys as something for them to be proud of me for.

“Life is too short.”

David’s wife Emma is certainly proud of her husband, having seen first-hand the gruelling training regime he went through, and having been roped into daily walks herself.

Emma added: “They decided they were going to do it about seven or eight months ago, and started asking round to see if they could get a group together to do it with them.

“In the end there is a group of four of them heading out to do the climb.

“Their training started basically straight away.

“He has always been quite into the gym anyway, but he has been putting extra focus on a bit of high altitude work and walking.

“He was dragging us all around the golf range in Mayland most nights, and the boys loved it.

“It is amazing what he is doing, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are super proud of him. It is such a lovely charity as well, with all the work they do for children.”

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa, and rises approximately 4,900 metres from its base to 5,895 metres above sea level.

They flew out on Monday.

To donate to David’s climb, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/dj-winfield.