A father from St Albans will be trying to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise cash and awareness for three charities.

David Abrahams will be heading to Tanzania on Thursday to take on the 5,895m above sea level challenge.

The father-of-two, who works as a director of finance for a company in Watford, said: "I’ve got to the ripe old age of 56 and I’m at the stage when I want to try some different things in my life.

"I don’t want to look back and have regrets that I didn’t try things.

"I’ve never done anything like this before in my life. Most of my holidays are spent relaxing.

"My wife and family think I am probably slightly mad to be doing this, but I’ve decided it is time to do something different and for good causes."

Mr Abrahams is taking on the trek in aid of three charities that are close to his heart.

The first is Nordoff Robbins, a leading music therapy charity that helps being of all ages across the UK.

The second, The Papworth Trust, works with disabled people in the East of England to give them more independence.

The final charity he is supporting is SANE, which aims to improve the quality of life of people living with mental illness.

He said: "I’m trying to raise the profile of the charities.

"They are three interesting charities that people won’t have heard of."

He is well on his way to hitting his fundraising target and has already collected £5,000 of his £6,000 goal.

The money raised will be split equally between the three causes.

Mr Abrahams signed up for the challenge 18 months ago and since then he has been training had to prepare.

He said: "I don’t feel overly confident but I’m as prepared as I can be.

"I have no doubt this is going to be a real challenge.

"The encouragement I have been given by those who have already sponsored me is overwhelming and the charities I am working hard to raise awareness of, and money for, have also been really supportive.

"Just bring it on."

To sponsor his challenge visit www.charitygiving.co.uk/davidabrahams.