A STUDENT is preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity - despite having a bowel disease.

Lyle Darwin, 26, who is studying at Northumbria University, plans to tackle Africa’s tallest peak with fellow students to raise money for the African charity Dig Deep

Despite suffering extreme fatigue from Crohn’s disease, Mr Darwin, of Chester-le-Street, did a six-hour spinathon at the Bannatyne’s Health Club, on the town’s Riverside, to raise funds and boost his fitness ahead of the challenge.

He said: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome the symptoms of Crohn’s disease and also raise money for a very worthwhile charity at the same time.

“I have really been working hard to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro and I would like to thank Bannatyne’s for allowing me to hold the spinathon at their health club in Chester-le-Street.

“Living with Crohn’s disease can sometimes make life very difficult but fitness and climbing has always been very important to me. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will be an amazing achievement for me.”

Club general manager Daniel Gray said: “Lyle has been a member with us for many years and his preparation for the climb is definitely something to be admired.

“Despite difficult circumstances, Lyle has overcome health obstacles and even managed to complete a six hour spinathon to aid with his fundraising. Everybody at Bannatyne’s in Chester-le-Street wishes Lyle all the best of luck for his challenge.”

Dig Deep works with local groups to help Kenyan communities improve their access to water, sanitation and renewable energy.

The charity aims to make sustainable improvements to health, education, gender equality, the economy and environment.