On 3 September I set off on my latest mountaineering expedition, this time to Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the continent of Africa. At the age of 66 next month and with a new knee last October, I regard this as a major undertaking regardless of my previous mountaineering experience. I have decided to raise money for charity if I can.

Recently, my good friend Hugh Playfair was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. 20 years ago my first boss, Richard Caws Senior Partner of Debenham Tewson and Chinnocks died of Pancreatic Cancer, so I have knowledge of this terrible disease and of its survival rates. I hold Hugh in very high regard as he was the founder Chairman of Somerset Churches Trust, of which I am a Trustee. Hugh talked me into it! I am presently on a mission to visit every church in Somerset (over 500), so Somerset churches is a big part of my life. Hugh was also a master at Marlborough College in the 1960s when I was a pupil there myself.

On the strength of those influences, I have decided to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and (separately) Somerset Churches Trust (as part of their Ride + Stride campaign).

I am inviting you, please, to give generously to one or both of these charities. You can sponsor me per day (it is a 7 day expedition, up and back) per metre ascended (from 894m to 5,895m), for getting to the top (or just to get started), or in any manner you wish.

Somerset Churches Trust is an independent, non-denominational trust raising money for the repair and improvement of churches and chapels open for Christian worship in the historic county of Somerset. The Trust, founded in 1996, exists to encourage interest and the involvement of all members of the community in the magnificent heritage of our fine religious buildings.