A ST ALBANS optician has embarked on a charity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro today in memory of a friend who lost his life to a heart disease.

David Abrahams, of Copse Wood Way, Northwood, will climb the summit alongside his daughter, Joelle Abrahams, an Oxford geography graduate.

The 51-year-old, who has previously climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe said: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"A very good friend of mine, Steven Jacobs, died suddenly of heart disease at the age of 51, in March this year. We've got children around the same age and to be honest his death really brought it home to me.”

He added: "My daughter and I would like to complete this climb in memory of him as well as raise money for Harefield hospital, which pioneers the research and treatment of heart disease."

So far the father and daughter team have managed to raise £3,775.00 of their £6,000 target, thanks to donations from friends, family and even some of David's patients at Maltings Eye Care.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, promises to be a gruelling trek for the pair, so David and Joelle have tried to prepare for their climb by going to the gym and running nearly ever evening.

Joelle Abrahams, 22, a former Haberdasher's Aske pupil and who recently returned from travelling said: "I've been told Mount Killamajaro is the highest climable trek and so we have been trying to make sure we're really physically fit.

"What I'm really not looking forward to though is the altitude sickness. I've been told there's no way you can prepare your body for it, so we're just going to have to take it as it comes."

David and Joelle should reach the mountain's summit on Friday, August 14, after five exhaustive days climbing together.

David said: "This climb should be a lot tougher than anything we've done before, including Mont Blanc. The altitude itself is considerably greater, at Mont Blanc it was around 4,800m and at Kilimanjaro I believe it's around 5, 900m.

"But, at the age of 51, I really want to push myself and I know that this climb will be hugely rewarding."

To show your support for David and Joelle Abrahams, sponsor them at: www.justgiving.com/davidabrahams1