A 10-year-old boy is ready and raring to take on the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.
Trek expert: Sam Irving from Claygate
Sam Irving, from Claygate, hopes to become one of the youngest climbers to get up the 19,341ft peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
The pupil at Milbourne Lodge School, Esher, is part of an expedition organised by his mother, Ros, to raise money for the Haller Foundation.
Sam, who has always in interest in climbing and hopes to conquer Everest one day, is hoping to raise £25,000 with the team to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and an irrigation system for a remote village in rural Kenya.
To do his bit, Sam is baking cakes, washing cars and producing a special school news letter.
He said: "I recently met my hero, the explorer David Hempleman-Adams and asked him for some advice but he said 'Don't do it'. To be honest, I'm not sure wether he was joking or not."
He will be expected to walk for eight or more hours while carrying his supplies on his back. Now he has broken in his walking boots and discovered a love of Kendal mint cake he is extremely excited about the trip.
To donate visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/capacityclimbers.
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