A MOUNTAIN climber is set to scale one of the world’s highest peaks, in a bid to raise funds for forces charity Help for Heroes.

Chris Holland will attempt his gruelling ascent of towering Cho Oyu, which at 26,907ft is the world’s sixth highest mountain, in autumn this year.

Cho Oyu, whose Tibetan name translates as the ‘Turquoise Goddess’, lies in the Himalayan mountain range on the Tibet/Nepal border, about 20 miles west of Mount Everest.

The 50-year-old, who works for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, has climbed in the Himalayas several times before but Cho Oyu represents his highest challenge to date.

At 8,201 meters above sea level, just over five miles high, deadly altitude sickness is a real possibility – so the team will be using oxygen for the final push from 7,400 metres.

The expedition is scheduled for six weeks, including about five weeks on the mountain.

“As the 2013 Everest season will be over by then,” Chris said. “Should I summit, given my 6ft 5in height, I will probably be, for a short while at least, be the highest person on Earth.

“Given the high altitude, length of time ‘up high’ and the possibility of fickle weather on this big hill, success is not guaranteed but I hope that any monies pledged will be honoured for this worthy charity.”

Chris, from Wareham, has been above 6,000 metres four times and reached 7,200 metres on China’s Muztag Ata before bad weather forced him back down.

On his chosen charity, he said: “Whatever you think about the wars which the UK has been – or is – involved in, the servicemen and women have no choice but to go and many, in the face of great adversity and mortal danger, have shown remarkable courage and resilience.

“And, of course, many have made a huge sacrifice.”

Visit bmycharity.com/ChoOyu2013 to donate.