A MAN who lost a close friend to leukaemia has spent three months getting fit ahead of an expedition to Mount Everest that will start tomorrow.

Rob Claydon, 35, from Consett, will spend eight days trekking in the Himalayas on an expedition in which he will climb more than 18,000ft up the world's highest mountain.

Throughout his adventure, the registered bone marrow donor will raise money for The Anthony Nolan Trust.

He has raised more than £4,000 for the charity since the death of his friend.

He said: "The real satisfaction when I sit on that mountain will not be the view, but the fact I have raised the hard cash for at least 300 blood tests."

For the past three months, he has been training free of charge at the Fitness Express gym at the Derwent Manor hotel, at Allensford, near his home.

Club manager Kelly Waugh said: "We are all so proud of Rob and wish him all the luck in the world with this challenge.

"He has been working hard towards this trek, and all for such a worthy cause."