From Glasgow to Tanzania: Meet the team climbing 20,000 feet

Freddie King, along with his friends Bob McGeaghy and Allan Campbell have been preparing for the challenge since last Christmas after a discussion in the gym.

Thre 55-year-old, from Lenzie, has worked closely with the Marie Curie charity for a number of years and is hoping that the challenge will help raise much-needed funds.

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Taking over 24 hours to travel to their starting point, the group will begin their challenge at the base of the mountain in Tanzania on Thursday, September 14.

However, Freddie admits that this is going to be a tougher challenge with the climb up Mount Kilimanjaro reaching around 20,000 feet.

Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times he said: "We are so up for it and I would go tomorrow if I could. 

"It is going to be a big ask but we all know what we are doing it for and that when we are struggling the support of the charity will be behind us.

"We are all in our 50s but we are confident that we can do this and as it gets closer the more excited I get about it.

Freddie added: "This journey is not about Freddie King, or taking on the mountain, it is about the charity and the work they do to help people who suffer from cancer.

"I love everything to do with the charity, the staff the work and the way they help people.

"We will be wearing our Marie Curie beanies and be taking a flag up with us to plant at the top."

The group are all keen mountain climbers with Glencoe becoming their "closest friend" of late due to the amount of time they have climbed the Highland mountain range. 

And the journey up the mountain is expected to take roughly six days and another two days to come back down. 

They will also be accompanied by doctors to ensure that they are in good health on the trip.

So far, the friends have raised over £23,000 for the charity through fundraisers and charity events, with the goal of hitting £30,000 before they return home.

He said: "It will be a special moment getting to the top as I am sure we all will be thinking of someone.

"It used to be one in ten people someone knew had cancer, now it is one in two.

"But the money we raise from this is key for Marie Curie as half of their funding comes from entrepreneurs, and the other half comes from Government funding. 

"The great thing about something like this is that it could give someone the inspiration to take it further or recreate it, making it invaluable to the charity."

Amanda Casey, community fundraiser at Marie Curie, said: "Huge thanks to everyone who has donated - we’re blown away at the support and generosity.

"For Freddie, Bob, Alan and Ryan to have raised almost £24,000 for Marie Curie is phenomenal.

“Freddie knows first-hand how important Marie Curie is to families across Glasgow as he selflessly gives up his spare time to volunteer at the Glasgow Hospice, and with the group of friends taking on this challenge, we can continue being there for terminally ill people and their loved ones when they need us most.

“Taking on Mount Kilimanjaro is no mean feat. But we’re all behind them and know they can do it. Good luck"

@scottish.mountain JOIN US IN OUR JOURNEY TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO.. 25K RAISED FOR MARIE CURIE ❤️ THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US #mariecurie #adventure #Kilimanjaro #justgiving #1weektogo ♬ original sound - Scottish Mountain Warriors