THE former joint owner of Bath Travel will face one of the biggest challenges of his life when he climbs Mount Kilimanjaro next week.

Stephen Bath, the former managing director of the Bournemouth-based travel firm, will attempt the feat to raise money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

He will leave for Tanzania on September 9, after being challenged to do the event by a travel industry colleague.

And he has been in training for the climb, giving up alcohol for six weeks and doing practise climbs in hot temperatures.

Describing the adventure as a "serious ordeal", he said: "The mountain is the highest in Africa at 19,350 feet, so over 1000 feet hight than Everest Base Camp.

"The peak is exactly two thirds the height of Everest, so the big issue is oxygen starvation.

"Only two thirds of climbers make the summit, usually because they can’t breathe.

"The final assault on the summit always leaves at 11pm. You climb through snow all night in the dark at -15C.

"This is a serious ordeal."

Mr Bath has already raised £3,000, with his main sponsor, Steele Raymond Solicitors.

The Alder Hey Children's Hospital is the official charity of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, of which he is a board member.

After visiting the hospital last summer and seeing the work that goes on there, it inspired Mr Bath to raise money for the facility.

All the money goes straight to the hospital without deductions.

To donate to the cause, go to justgiving.com/Stephen-Bath.