Pals prepare to tackle peak

TWO friends are preparing for an inspirational trek to help a charity close to their hearts.

Nineteen-year-olds Ivor Irwin, from Limeside, and Nick Mendham, from Failsworth, are joining forces to put their best feet forward for Tesco Trek Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The friends were inspired to take on the mountainous adventure by Nick’s grandfather, who has Alzheimer’s, and Ivor’s great-grandmother, who died from the condition.

The duo are now in training for the February trip to Tanzania in Africa, which will see them scale heights of 19,000ft.

Ivor, a sports rehabilitation student at Bolton University, says they are currently spending five days a week in the gym to build up their fitness.

But he says their biggest challenge at the moment is raising the £3,800 they each need to take part in the trek.

“Part of the money pays for the trip and the rest goes to the charity,” said Ivor.

“We’re hoping to raise around £5,000 for the charity all together. I’m really looking forward to going, I think reaching the summit will be the highlight.”

Nick has been busy drumming up sponsorship and donations where he works at Tesco, in Failsworth, and Ivor has been totting up the pennies and pounds with work colleagues from B&Q and local businesses.