A ROSSENDALE councillor has taken on a mammoth training regime to get fit for the ultimate challenge -- a trek to Everest Base Camp.

Cribden ward councillor Hugh McCaw is jetting out to the Grand Canyon next Saturday as part of the training for the Everest trip in May 2005.

And the fundraising champion has been given another helping hand from a local gym, who have vowed to sponsor him with a personal trainer for a year.

Scott Gildea, personal trainer at Terminal One Gym, Bacup Road, Waterfoot, has taken on the task of training Hugh.

A series of strenuous training programmes have been put together to help prepare for the trip of a life time.

Scott said: "The aim is to get Hugh down to the gym at least three times a week. There will be a lot of core strength training. He is already quite a fit chap so we will be working on some specific leg exercises to build his stamina for the high altitude and balance it out with some upper body work so he can carry his bags ."

Hugh, is hoping to raise money for Childline on the first trip and £3,000 for Claire House Hospice, The Wirral, when he goes on the 20 day trek to the Himalayan mountain.

Hugh, who lives in Crawshawbooth, has two children, Michelle, 19, and Ross, eight. He was touched when he was approached by the hospice to raise money for them.

He said: "The hospice accommodates children from all over the North West, so I thought it would be a great chance to complete a personal challenge for myself and to help such a worthy cause.

"I am just going to the Grand Canyon as part of my training, I am hoping it will set me off in the right direction to get fit enough for the Everest trip.

"When we get there we will have the chance to stop off and enjoy the scenery and village life which will be a great experience."

Hugh will undertake a gruelling trek along the Grand Canyon before he starts his personal crusade to get fit enough to take on Everest.

He added: "It's the ultimate challenge, I am not looking forward to dealing with the altitude because it can make you sick and give you headaches but I will be determined to make it through the 20 day trip no matter what obstacles are put in my way." The trip is being organised as part of Global Adventure Challenge based in Chester.