Scaling the great heights for charity

Gerard Martin, Paul Murtagh and Kevin O'Hanlon will scale Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Cancer Research UK.

They will set off for the epic adventure on August 23, "It's the highest mountain you can climb without the use of specialist equipment," said Gerard.

The likely lads are no strangers to charity fundraisers which test the limits of physical endurance.

Gerard, 30, has competed mammoth bike rides, marathons and triathlons all in aid of various charities, for him it's all about the challenge.

The part time postman and university student added: "It's a great challenge and when you're doing it for a good cause then it makes it all the more worthwhile.

"I had seen the Comic Relief trek up Kili' on the television and it looked really amazing and I thought it was something that we should do.

"After a few drinks I concocted a plan and managed to get a couple of eejits in on the action."

Kilimanjaro is 5,893 meters high and their route, The Machane (or Whiskey) is about 100km long walked over six days.

Friends Paul Murtagh from Craigavon and Kevin O'Hanlon, originally from Craigavon, now living in Scotland will join Gerard.

Paul, a social worker said: "We have paid for the whole trip, so all money donated will go straight to the charity.

"Whilst the incline is gentle in parts the real battle will be with the altitude.

"About 60 per cent of all climbers of Kili make the summit and unfortunately about 10 people die each year trying."

You can donate to the cause - by visiting Gerard's Facebook page and following the Just Giving link or by logging on to www.justgiving.com/ gerard-martin.