A Norfolk man is to climb one of the worlds tallest mountains to raise funds for street children

A Norwich based business development manager is to climb one of the world's tallest mountains to raise funds for children living on the streets.

Steve Frost is determined to conquer his fear of heights by climbing one of the world's tallest mountains and at the same time help raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The 47-year-old from Horstead, near Norwich, will set off on Friday on an epic trip to climb Kilamanjaro in Tanzania to raise thousands of pounds for the Railway Children charity which campaigns to help youngsters living on the streets.

The eight day adventure will involve ascending four different climate zones from the tropical at the foot of the mountain to the ice and sub-zero temperatures at its peak.

To get fit for the 19,340ft climb, the business development manager who works for insurance giant Aviva has been going on endurance walks up hills in North Norfolk and also went on a 15-mile trek before joining fellow climbers to go hill climbing in the Peak District. He has also taken his motorcycle to Scotland for a climb of Britain's tallest mountain Ben Nevis.

'There are two reasons I am doing it, the first is to raise the money for the charity and raise awareness, but the second is a personal challenge as I hate heights,' he said. 'It's something I will be absolutely determined to get through,' he added. 'I've been doing a tremendous amount of training over the last 12 weeks, which has included running every other day.

'The challenge these kids are facing is far greater and I'm learning to live through my own fear in the same way they have to live through theirs,' he added.

Also on the trip will be 24 senior rail executives and each climber is hoping to raise �5,000 for the Railway Children, which is the UK charity partner for Aviva's Street to School programme, designed to raise awareness and support for children living on the streets in order to get them back into everyday life.

'This is a fantastic challenge for me to climb one of the great mountains of the world,' said Mr Frost who is married with two step children and four children. 'The training for such an expedition has been intense and I'm filled with a sense of excitement and trepidation as the start date looms.

'I would love to exceed my �5,000 fundraising target and hope that local businesses and individuals will support me. When you raise money for Railway Children you know it's going to make a real difference to young people's lives. Eight days on a mountain versus a lifetime on the streets is not a lot to ask.'

After the climb he also plans to visit a Railway Children project in Tanzania to learn about the charity and what they do globally.

To support him on his mountainous fundraising task visit http://bit.ly/stevefundraising

Are you about to embark on an epic fundraising event? Contact the Evening News on 01603 772443 and tell us your plans.