Charity boss hopes Kilimanjaro climb will net £30k

A CHARITY boss is to scale Africa's highest mountain in a money-spinning challenge for a cause that's close to his heart.

Edinburgh-born Norman Barrett, 57, who heads the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), will heave himself to the summit of the 19,340-feet Mount Kilimanjaro in a bid to net 30,000 for his lifesaving organisation.

He is one of a dozen people to sign up for the epic mountain trek due to take place in September 2011. AICR provides funding worth 36 million to 207 active projects - 91 in the UK and 116 overseas - undertaking vital work to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Mr Barrett lost two grandparents to cancer and recently watched his mother undergo extensive surgery for stomach cancer.

"That's what drives me to do the job I do," he explained. "AICR is the second cancer charity I have worked for and I particularly like being in the driving seat here and getting as much done as possible for cancer research.

"Climbing a mountain is something totally new for me. I have never been above 3,000 feet before - except in a plane - but I have run marathons. It's some time since I have done anything requiring long periods of endurance. My wife is insisting I start, now, on a fitness regime in time for next year."