THE chief executive and chairman of Warrington Youth Club are braving the cold climate and pushing their fears of altitude and acute mountain sickness to one side to climb Africa’s highest mountain.

Nick Hopkinson and Dave McNicholl will be trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise vital funds for the WYC, who work with young people in Warrington to help change their lives for the better.

Dave, from Liverpool, said: “This is my first time climbing Kilimanjaro but it’s Nick’s fourth time. I’m sure he will be giving me a kick up the bum to make sure I reach the top.”

Dave, aged 37, and Nick, aged 53, from Great Budworth, will be joined by nine work colleagues during the gruelling trek in a bid to raise funds to help improve youngsters’ lives and their futures.

“We work with more than 2,000 children and young people each month and many of those are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged kids in Warrington,” he added.

“We are aiming to provide hot meals to these children and young people, most of whom would not otherwise receive a hot meal that week.”

The group, who fly out to Africa in March, hope to raise more than £3,500 to provide nutritional meals to around £3,500 underprivileged children in Warrington.

The money will also go towards setting up a mentoring service for young people, who attend the WYC.

Dave added: “Any donations will enable us to continue to help young people in the area.”

The WYC, who are based at the Peace Centre, provide a safe place for youngsters to socialise and to try new experiences by offering a number of programmes and activities for all ages.

The club currently works with more than 2,000 children a month but aims to be able to help 2,000 children every week.

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveMcNicholl2.