A boyhood dream of conquering Everest is to come true for a Kinross man as he scales the world’s highest peak to raise funds for CHILDREN 1ST and Help for Heroes.
James Grieve, 52, who is originally from Kennoway, will next month set off from Kathmandhu to scale the south side of the peak with five others under the leadership of company Summit Climb.
Reaching the summit at 8,848m will take almost two months and he has already spent two years preparing for the challenge.
“As a boy growing up in Kennoway I always wanted to climb Everest,” he said.
“Lack of money or starting other sports got in the way of that dream but it is finally about to happen.”
As preparation for the climb, James has been doing weight training and a six to seven-mile run six times a week, as well as a weekly six to 10-hour hike uphill.
He has set himself an initial fundraising target of £500 but hopes the final tally will be higher.
“I want to raise funds for CHILDREN 1ST, as it is a most worthwhile cause,” he said.
“I know someone who endured a traumatic childhood and the support of this organisation would have helped them a lot.
“Raising funds for this charity will help the kids going through tough times today and tomorrow.”
Director of fundraising Kate Smith said: “Our work supporting vulnerable children and families would not be possible without the generosity of supporters like James.
“Every penny raised stays in Scotland.
“Last year, CHILDREN 1ST supported over 16,000 vulnerable children, young people, parents and carers across the country.”
An experienced climber who completed a hike up the world’s sixth-highest mountain Cho Oyu on the border between Tibet and China in 2013, James also takes part in a variety of sports including motocross, karate and scuba-diving.
To sponsor James visit www.justgiving.com/james-grieve2.