A man is busy preparing to fulfil a lifelong ambition – and climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Jason Plysi, from East Barnet, is climbing the mountain for Macmillan Cancer Support. So far, he has managed to raise more than £5,400.

Mr Plysi, 39, said: “I have been putting in a lot of training for it. I started at the beginning of this year.

“I’m very excited, but very apprehensive because it’s something I have never done. I have always wanted to do it. It’s been an aspiration since I was young.”

He flies out on Wednesday, October 1, and will spend seven nights on the mountain.

Mr Plysi, who works in digital marketing for The Royal College of Physicians, explained why he chose to take on the challenge. He said: “Macmillan do a fantastic job for people with cancer. My close friend passed away about a year ago, and the nurses looked after her right to the end. I want to give them something back, and help support them.”

His fundraising has involved a range of events, including coffee mornings, raffles and charity lunches.

Mr Plysi added: “When I get down from the mountain I will have a celebratory drink. Hopefully all the people doing it will stay friends for a long time.

“There may be other challenges in the future.”

You can visit Jason’s JustGiving page here.