A BUSINESSMAN is climbing the highest mountain in the world to raise money for families in Ryedale.

Rob Davies, 57, has set himself the inspirational task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the largest free-standing mountain in the world, and raising £1 for each of the 5,895 miles he must climb.

He said: “Towards the end of last year, with all the doom and gloom, economically and business-wise, I just decided that I needed to do something to make sure that 2009 was a better year.

“I looked at a number of different challenges available, and I chose this one because I’ve never been to Africa.

”I chose to support Ryedale Special Families, because they approached me in the summer after I’d organised Ryedale Live, to see if I wanted to do something for them.

“At the time it wasn’t possible, but I kept them in mind and now hope to raise a decent amount for them.”

Mr Davies is a single parent with a 17-year-old daughter, Becky. He says his situation helps him to imagine what life must be like for families dealing with a disabled child.

And that is why he is pleased to be able to support Ryedale Special Families, which does tireless work with families affected by disability.

During his trip to Tanzania, Mr Davies will also spend time working as a volunteer in a school.

He said: “20,000 people visit Kilimanjaro, and most local people are employed as porters, carrying luggage for the tourists.

“Many of the children at the school have parents who are porters, so by doing this I feel as though I am giving something back.

“I wanted to do something different and at the same time, make a difference.

“The area surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro is home to some of Tanzania’s poorest communities, and the schools are in dire need of assistance.”

Mr Davies is travelling with Different Travel, which has made a commitment to responsible travel and tourism which defines the use of tourism as a force for good which benefits, the communities they visit, while minimising the negative side effects of tourism to both the destination and the global environment.

He has enlisted the services of York-based fitness trainer Jason Feavers to help monitor his progress.

He said:“I needed someone to assess my current level of fitness, help me devise a sensible programme for the next nine months, and just as importantly, make sure I don’t over-do things.

“I’ve joined the local gym in Malton, and will combine these workouts with an increasing number of longer and more challenging walks.

“By the spring I’ll be looking to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, and then progress to our larger mountains such as Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon.”

Mr Davies, 57, runs an office supplies business from home and is also founder of the voluntary organisation Ryedale Live! which was launched last July.

Anyone wishing to help him achieve his target for Ryedale Special Families can do so by sending a donation to their office at 121 Town Street, Old Malton.

Mr Davies is funding the entire cost of his challenge personally and that every penny donated will go directly to Ryedale Special Families.