Icy charity challenge for caring high Tory Lord Forsyth

The Tory peer once caricatured as the most unpopular man in Scottish politics aims to raise 250,000 for Marie Curie by scaling the 16,077ft Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.

Unconquered until the 1960s, the ice-covered mountain presents climbers with one of the toughest tests in the world, as they combat the extreme cold and wind of the southern polar region. Many turn back.

But, at 55, the Conservative peer agreed to take on the assault, having been persuaded by a legendary adventurer.

He said: "I had dinner with Ranulph Fiennes and he said I should do something for Marie Curie. I told him I was getting a bit old, but he pointed out he was getting a lot older. This is a man who went back to Everest after failing to reach the top the first time, and who also climbed the north face of the Eiger. When he asks you to do something, well, how can you say no?"

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean's attempt is his third major climb after his ascents five years ago of the 22,831ft Mt Aconcagua in Argentina and Mt Kilamanjaro in Kenya. Friends have already helped Forsyth to raise 130,000, but he is aiming to reach the target of 250,000 by Christmas.

It is a far cry from the rough and tumble of Forsyth's political years when, as a Thatcherite and Scottish Secretary during the last two years of the John Major administration, he was the target of anti-Tory sentiment in Scotland. "I'm now a free man," he said.

Forsyth began training by ice-climbing on Ben Nevis. "When I was younger I did it but I had to go back last winter to try again. When you're younger you just do it but this time around it scared the hell out of me. You think you are immortal when you are younger, but when you are crumbling like me, it is very different."

As for the conditions he faces, he said: "The atmosphere is a bit thinner there, and of course, then you have to climb up to 17,000ft. The temperatures could get as low as -35."

A keen climber in his youth, Forsyth began fundraising by tackling Kilmanjaro for DeBRA, a charity working for people with the genetic skin-blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB). His seven-year-old niece, Adana, has the condition. On that occasion, Forsyth raised 220,000.

He now hopes to beat that figure. On this occasion, 80 per cent of the funds will go to Marie Curie, with the rest helping the Child in Need India charity which helps destitute children in India.

Lord Forsyth is away from frontline politics now but last month he was appointed to a commission reviewing the Tories' future direction north of the Border. His greatest adversary is now the gym.

"The training is the worst thing, although at least you get fit," he said.

Paul Thompson, head of community fundraising, Scotland and Northern Ireland, for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "Lord Forsyth of Drumlean is an inspirational, dedicated fundraiser for Marie Curie and we wish him every success in his latest endeavour. We hope many will be encouraged by his efforts to take on their own personal challenge, although it need not be a climb up the highest mountain of Antarctica."

• For more on Marie Curie's work in Scotland, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/inyourarea/scotland or contact the local events team on 0131-561 3963z