A 59-year-old property developer is heading off to the freezing cold Himalayas to climb to the base camp of Mount Everest. Alan Sterling, of Ightham, near Sevenoaks, will embark on his 19-day-long quest this coming weekend.

He said: "I'm doing this by way of a personal protest. I'm about to reach 60. It's a personal challenge but I'm hoping to get some sponsorship for Valence School."

The special needs school in Westerham is looking for funds to improve its hydrotherapy pool.

Mr Sterling's wife, whose wife Irene works at the school, said: "I know the school well and the good work it does for physically disabled children."

His target is to reach a peak - Kalar Patar at 18,200ft - from where climbers can see the tip of Mount Everest. "Supposedly, it's minus 30C, it's not the ideal time to be going, in January," he said.

Mr Sterling has completed daring feats before, looping the loop in a light aircraft over Goodwood and abseiling from Tubbs Hill House, Sevenoak, both in aid of Scope. His previous climbing conquests include Tanzania's Kilimanjaro and Switzerland's Matterhorn.

Mr Sterling, who turns 60 in March, said: "Kilimanjaro is slightly higher than Mount Everest base camp, but I was 35 years younger then."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Sterling can send donations to the treasurer of The Friends of Valence School, Martin Cooper, Valence School, Westerham, TN16 1QN.