THE death of a close family friend has spurred an outdoor education consultant to take on his biggest challenge yet.

Paul Mordue, of Wild About Adventure in Barrasford, is all set to climb Mount Everest in a bid to raise £50,000 for charity.

The money will go to Maggie’s Centre, in Newcastle, in memory of treasured friend Catherine Groves, who lost her battle with cancer in December.

She left behind husband Colin and their two young children.

Colin is one of Paul’s oldest friends and Catherine knew before she died that Paul intended to use his Everest trip to support the place that did so much for her and her family in their hour of need.

“Although we knew that her cancer was inoperable, losing Catherine just a few days before Christmas was a shock to us all,” he said.

“She was a wonderful lady who is loved and missed by all who knew her.”

Colin had given his blessing to the expedition, he added. “I just hope that I can do Catherine proud and raise as much money for Maggie’s as possible.”

A father of three, Paul had harboured the dream of climbing Everest since he himself was a child.

Even so, he was not entering into it lightly. “It’s the ultimate challenge! I know there’s a long road ahead and fully understand the risks and the level of commitment involved, not just for myself, but also from my friends and family who are supporting me.”

In addition to the fitness training, Paul is also entering triathlons and sponsored hikes. In July, he plans to climb Mount Nun, a 7,135m peak in the Indian Himalayas.

He added: “I have climbed mountains in the Himalayas before, but nothing on the same scale as Everest.

“Mount Nun is to be my ‘warm‐up’ peak to help me get a better sense of the challenge to come when I fly out to Kathmandu next year.”