Two Blackburn men, who decided to tackle the world’s highest single-standing mountain after a few drinks, set off on the climb in one month.

Lee Cunningham and Dermot Gallagher from Feniscowles are tackling Mount Kilimanjaro at the start of next month to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The pair have chosen the charity as Lee lost his grandfather to dementia in 2017 and his other grandfather was diagnosed with the disease last year.

Dermot’s grandmother has also recently been diagnosed with dementia.

Lee said: “The main reason is it's for the Alzheimer’s Society and the work they do.

“Not just the work they do for people with Alzheimer’s but the support they gave my family when my grandfather passed away and the support, they are giving my family now my grandad has been recently diagnosed.

“On the actual experience and the challenge, yes [it will be] fantastic, but we are doing it for Alzheimer’s.”

On Thursday, September 5, the pair added to their training by visiting Burnley College to use its altitude chamber to prepare themselves for the ascent up the 5,985-metre tall Tanzanian peak.

Additionally, the pair have done several walks in preparation including Helvellyn in the Lake District and walking 54km along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Barnoldswick to Feniscowles.

Lee added: “We are lucky there are so many areas within Lancashire and the local areas that you can do.

"Pendle Hill, Darwen Tower, Rivington and there are so many areas we can train for.

“We are both single lads who have always wanted to push and challenge ourselves by doing something, and have always had sport throughout our lives.

“But in terms of walking, I walk the dog and that’s about it.”

Dermot and Lee have currently raised £7,700 of their target, with an aim of reaching £10,000.

And Lee is excited about the experience, the thrill of the unknown and the views that will come as a result.

Additionally, they are looking forward to the camaraderie with all the people who are taking part in the trek.

Lee said: “We talked about the London Marathon, but we then thought let’s do something you don’t hear often and we took it to the extreme.

"At the back of my mind will always be the people who suffer from Alzheimer’s but also the families as well.”

Donations can be made to Lee and Dermot's JustGiving page named 'Lee & Dermot - Mount Kilimanjaro'.