John's Africa mountain charity climb

John Jones, of Quebec Road, Lammack, has vowed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania no matter how long it takes or what he encounters on the way.

The 41-year-old is also running a book stall in Blackburn Market to help raise vital funds to buy a plot of land and build a school, soup kitchen and church in Nairobi.

John, who is raising cash for the charity PACODI (Partners in Community Development Initiative), is appealing for sponsorship for the trek on January 19 and donations of books to help keep the stall stocked.

The full-time charity fundraiser said: "Around £20,000 will buy a piece of land and allow us to build a church, soup kitchen and school and pay for two teachers, books, and enough food to feed the kids twice a day.

"The school they use at the moment is a shack and they have one book to six children.

"But if we buy a piece of land nobody can take it away from them. Just £1 will feed a child for a week in a soup kitchen.

"Although I'm scared of heights and the mountain is almost 20,000 feet I know I will do it.

"I'm not worried, I'm the fittest man you'll ever come across and I'm the sort of person who once he starts something has to finish it so there's no danger of me giving up."

John has already raised £3,000 in sponsorship from local businesses and family, but hopes the public will help boost his total.

John began working with the charity through his wife's mother who works for children's charity Barnardos.

He has already raised thousands of pounds to help kids have a better life in Nairobi over the last few years.

And after the climb he is hoping to bring five members of the Nairobi community back to Blackburn for three weeks to help him run the book stall and to give talks and singing and dancing performances in the town.

People who want to donate books or pledge money to the appeal are asked to call John on 0781 7252936.

He will collect any donations himself.