FATHER-of-two Paul Stratton will be taking on the biggest challenge of his life when he attempts to climb 5,895m to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mr Stratton, 35, of Hilperton, who is managing director of Success Tours, Trowbridge, is preparing for his adventure in October.

The average time it takes non-professionals to reach the summit of the east African mountain is eight days but Mr Stratton will be attempting to complete the climb in 72 hours.

He is hoping to raise £50,000 for Bristol- based charity Action for M.E. in memory of his brother Neil, an M.E. sufferer, who died in December.

Mr Stratton said: "At the moment I feel excited with a bit of trepidation but I'm the kind of person that needs a challenge. I'm also very determined so if I say I'm going to do something I do it."

"I chose Kilimanjaro because I've never been to Africa and it's a mountain that has the wow factor."

He is hoping his trip will also help to raise more public awareness for M.E.

"Everyone who knows someone or has heard of someone with M.E. knows there is not enough being done about it," he said.

"When Neil first got ill there was very little known about M.E. It has recently been recognised by the Government but there is still a long way to go because there isn't a cure and no one knows exactly what causes it.

"It's a very debilitating illness that attacks the immune and nervous system. The simplest things are too much and a lot of sufferers end up bed bound."

His friend Nigel Gifford, who runs High and Wild, a Wells-based company which organises extreme adventures, will be supporting Mr Stratton by helping him prepare for the trip.

Mr Gifford, who has about 40 years' experience in mountaineering, said: "If Paul succeeds he'll be the first person to climb the mountain in 72 hours who's doing it for charity. He's very committed and full of enthusiasm."

Mr Stratton will first climb neighbouring mountain Meru, so he can acclimatise to help him reach the top of Kilimanjaro in the time.

Mr Stratton said his wife Sally was a little nervous about the trip but his children Lee, eight, and Jemma, six, were very excited after learning about Africa in school.

He has started to gather sponsorship and has so far raised £3,500 towards his target. Success Tours has also agreed to donate £1 for every passenger who books a trip between April and October.

To sponsor Mr Stratton call (01225) 760188, pop into Success Tours or visit www.justgiving.com/paulstratton.