INTREPID grandfather Alwyne Atkinson is preparing for an epic climb up one of Europe's toughest mountains to raise cash for the charity which supports his granddaughter.

Alwyne, of Deans Lane, Sandbach, is set to scale Mount Eiger in Switzerland, along with four pals, to raise sponsorship money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The five-star team were inspired to undertake the breathtaking ascent by two-and-half-year-old Alice Pepper, who suffers from the painful disease.

Alwyne, 49, said he will have Alice on his mind during the 13,000ft climb.

He said: 'Alice is superb and is cheery all the time. She doesn't really know she has an illness and just believes that everybody has to undergo the same routine that she does, which includes treatment every morning and evening. But the life expectancy for people with this illness is not good.

'Cystic Fibrosis is not a disease which gets a lot of publicity, so if we can raise awareness and some money it will be fabulous. I am looking forward to the climb, but I know it will be very tough.'

Alice is the only child of Neil and Katy Pepper, who live in Thornbrook Way, Sandbach.

The team of walkers, who met through the Vale Royal Mountaineering Club, is completed by Geoff Griffiths, of Middlewich, Carl Cleary, of Winsford, John Sherrington, of Wilmslow, and Steve Ball, of Tittensor.

For Steve, the journey up Mount Eiger - which means 'ogre' in English - will prove a massive landmark in his incredible recovery from the horrific injuries he suffered in a climbing accident four years ago.

He plunged half a mile down Mount McKinley in Alaska, suffering two broken legs, and got severe frostbite in his feet, hands and face. After the fall he spent 28 hours in freezing conditions before being rescued.

Steve lost his left leg below the knee, part of his right foot, all his fingers, both thumbs and part of his nose.

His recovery has been a long road, being fitted with the country's first bionic hand in the process, and he has had to teach himself to climb again.

The 46-year-old, who leaves with the team on Friday, August 22, said: 'This will be the biggest serious mountain I have done since the accident.

'If I am successful it will prove I am able to do things. It will re-launch my climbing career. I would like to go back to Mount McKinley.'

In the meantime, the five climbers are in the final stages of preparation for their challenge, which will involve a period of acclimatisation before the two-day mission up Eiger.

Alwyne, who is a general service fore-man at Pochins in Middlewich, said: 'We have done a couple of practice walks, including the West Island Way in Scotland - a 100-mile trek from Glasgow to Fort William - but this will be a much different story.

'Steve is very determined and able, but we will have to help a lot at difficult stages.'

* Anyone wishing to sponsor the team in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust can phone Alwyne Atkinson on 01270 760505 or 07973 807701.

* To contact the Vale Royal Mountaineering Club, call Geoff Griffiths on 01606 832393.