Student hopes to raise £3,500 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

AN EDINBURGH University student is to put his studies to one side to scale the heights of Africa's highest mountain and raise money for medical research.

Kasim Rafiq, from Eliburn in Livingston, is hoping to raise 3,500 by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

The biology student is being put through his paces by mum Shama, who owns her own gym, Firm N' Tone in Bathgate, for the climb in June, which will take eight days to complete.

"I was looking for a challenge and this was certainly one of the toughest I could find," said the 20-year-old who will raise money for Action Medical Research (AMR).

"I'm pretty fit anyway but I'm really working on my stamina just now to make sure I can cope with the climb. Hopefully this will be the first of many tough challenges I will do for charities."

AMR is a pioneering medical charity which has led the way in helping to find cures and solutions for polio and birth problems.

Former Deans High School pupil Kasim added: "AMR pioneers medical techniques and introduced the ultrasound during pregnancies.

"They are currently trying to reduce the risk of premature babies and pregnancy complications. I did a lot of research into what charity I would raise money for and wanted something that helped children."