A DARWEN man plans to climb 18,000 feet to Everest Base Camp to raise cash in memory of his father who died of cancer.

Graduate Alex Guy, 22, of Harwoods Lane, will set off for the 19-day challenge on March 3 to raise money for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

His father, Richard, died in July 2000, aged 49, after doctors discovered two tumours on his spine.

He had an operation to remove one but his health deteriorated and he died at the Rosemere Cancer Centre in Preston.

Alex and his family have marked the anniversary of Mr Guy's death each year with a charity event but this year Alex wanted to go even further.

He said: "I have been going to the gym every day to try to get fit for the challenge and I've paid for everything so far, so any money I get can go to charity."

Alex, who has recently completed a legal practice course at York College of Law, is combining the Everest trek with a second fundraising challenge in Borneo and hopes to raise £5,000 from the two.

But he needs sponsorship and raffle prizes from local people and businesses after spending more than £3,000 of his own money on the trip to Everest and paying for his own raffle tickets and prizes which include signed Carl Fogarty and football memorabilia and two tickets for a Take That concert.

The second challenge will involve Alex travelling to Borneo on May 19 for a 10-day adventure in the jungle organised by the Professional Footballers' Association.

He got involved in the Borneo Cup after an appeal for volunteers in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph from former Blackburn Rovers player Simon Garner, who will be one of six ex-footballers leading a team of competitors in the challenge.

Sponsorship for this, which will include white water rafting, mountain biking and abseiling, will go to the Children Today charity, which provides vital equipment for children with sickness and disabilties.

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Alex or donate raffle prizes should ring him on 07788 625036 or email him at alexguy9@hotmail.com.