A FORMER Andover student is preparing to climb one of the world’s highest mountains in aid of a life-saving charity.

Jon Read will take his place as part of a 39- s t r o n g g r o u p attempting to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania next February.

The torturous trek is part of a bid to raise £100,000 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, whose crucial work is funded entirely by donations.

Jon, 24, who is a former student at Andover College, will tackle the gruelling six-day expedition in a daunting mix of hostile climates from scorching desert and dense forest to freezing mountain ascents.

Despite the immense challenge, Jonathan cannot wait to get started.

He said: “I first heard about it on local radio and just thought that the Air Ambulance is a brilliant life saving charity.

“It sounded like an amazing challenge so I began fundraising and it just snowballed from there.

“It’s going to be tough, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jon, who is currently studying an apprenticeship in aeronautical engineering at QinetiQ, has been busy training for the event and has already conquered the peaks of Snowdonia in Wales.

He said: “I feel confident even though I haven’t done anything like this before, but I have been practising and training at the gym.

“I also went with the group to Snowdonia as preparation, which is actually more difficult than what we are going to be doing out there.

“Obviously Kilimanjaro is higher in terms of altitude, but there is no crawling on all fours like we had to do on Snowdonia.”

Alongside the physical challenge, each member of the group has been tasked with raising £3,500 towards the £100,000 total.

Jon has already reached the £2,000 mark after backing from several groups and businesses in the area such as Sainsbury’s, Andover Model Railway Club and Andover Leisure Centre. But now he needs your help in order to reach his £3,500 target.

Jon added: “I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped me so far. If you can please help and support that is great because it’s a charity that flies hundreds of flights each year and saves hundreds if not thousands of lives.”

To sponsor Jon, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jonreadkilimanjarotrek