A LOCAL businessman is leaving his filofax behind as he heads for the hills in an exciting Icelandic challenge to raise money for children with disabilities.

Eddie Mather of Oldfield Close, Poulton, is currently training for a vigorous 100km trek through one of the most strange and inaccessible regions in the world - Iceland.

The nine-day event will take eager Eddie over moss-clad mountain passes and ice fields, by hot springs and steam vents and through deserts of black lava and glacial streams.

Sound exciting enough?

This appealing challenge was set up by Whizz-Kidz, an organisation providing mobility aids such as manual and powered wheelchairs, bikes, trikes and walking aids for children with disabilities.

The father-of-two, who admitted he had never done anything like it before, explained his interest: "I realise how lucky I am to have two healthy children, having travelled extensively and seen many disabled children.

"Whizz-Kidz is an excellent charity, that I am proud to help raise money for."

As owner of Richmond Electrotech in Poulton, the intrepid explorer has plenty of sponsors, as he pointed out: "With my job I'm constantly up and down the country and have already collected £1,800 of the £2,500 sponsorship money needed.

"I'm aiming much higher yet."

Training is gradually being stepped up for the demanding August expedition, as the 47-year-old said: "I've been walking in the Lakes every Sunday, completing an eight-mile strenuous route each time.

"I'm expecting it to be a very difficult trek, everything is unpredictable - even the climate can drop to minus 30 degrees in the evening yet be scorching the next day."

Eddie will be joined by 200 other people from around the country dedicated to the charity.

If you want to sponsor Eddie or need further information on Whizz-Kidz, call 0171 233 6600.

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