A ROCK-climbing councillor will battle deserts, thick jungles and scale mountains to raise money for a peace charity next week – and he will be taking The Chronicle with him.

After months of intense training Cheshire West & Chester councillor Alan McKie, of Sandringham Avenue, Helsby, is getting ready to don his hiking boots and travel to Tanzania in Africa for his epic challenge on Wednesday.

The 10-day-trip will see the grandfather-of-four brave sub-zero temperatures, and scale 19,400ft as he battles to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and claim it with his copy of The Chronicle.

But the councillor, who will turn 70 during the epic trek, remains unfazed by the challenge which will see him scale the highest mountain in Africa next week.

Alan, who has been preparing for the trek with intense hiking trips, gym sessions and weight training, will be tackling the climb to raise money for The Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace.

“It’s a first for me, I’ve not done anything like this before,” said Cllr McKie, who is married to Marjorie and has a daughter and four grandchildren.

He added: “I like to keep active and I want to show that age isn’t barrier. I think that I am now as fit as I have ever been.

“As a councillor I am always asking other people to help support charities and if I say you must help, I should do my bit and set an example.”

Alan will be joining an adventurous team, made up of Wendy and Abbi Parry, mother and sister of 12-year-old Tim Parry who was killed in the 1993 IRA bombings in Warrington.

Cllr Mckie literally has high hopes to raise £3,500 during the challenge, which will contribute to the charity, which was set up by his friends Colin and Wendy Parry in memory of their son in 1995.

The arduous african adventure will mark the 18th anniversary of the bombings, and Alan believes that the hike will be an emotional journey for all involved.

He said: “I’ve known Colin and Wendy Parry for more than 35 years,” added Cllr McKie.

“I haven’t got a lot of money myself but perhaps by doing it I can raise more money to help them.

“So far I have raised just under £3000, I am hoping to raise £3500 so I am not far off. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have sponsored me and given us equipment, even the small donations of £5 really make a very big difference.

For more information on Alan’s bid or to help the cause, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/alan4peacefoundation.