A MAN who suffers from a rare disease affecting his hearing and balance is climbing the highest mountain in Britain to raise awareness of the condition.

Steven Brassell was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease in 2010 after months of suffering from uncontrollable dizziness, sickness, symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus and feeling lightheaded.

The condition has since affected his daily life, with symptoms striking up at any time, often leaving him unable to work or take part in family activities or days out.

To raise awareness of the condition, and to fundraise for the Meniere's Society, the 37-year-old is climbing Ben Nevis this weekend.

Mr Brassell, originally from Newton Aycliffe before moving to Darlington in 2009, said: “I was tired of waking up everyday feeling sorry for myself not been able to do normal things as others do, due to suffering with Meniere’s disease.

“I then thought to myself what would your hero in life (my dad) do in this situation, would he settle for just accepting life as it is now and waiting for the condition to worsen as I get older or push yourself to see what triggers the condition and what things don’t?”

He added: “I believe this challenge will be really tough under these conditions for myself and anyone that suffers with Meniere’s.

“The higher I walk up the mountain range the tougher this will be as Meniere’s disease is also based on pressure to the inner ear and as the air gets thinner the higher you walk the more difficult conditions this will get for me.”

Mr Brassell is completing the challenge with experienced climber and relative, Ray Bragg.

To donate visit justgiving.com/Steven-Brassell