A Belfast-based personal trainer is set to climb the height of Mount Kilimanjaro on a rope.
Having already climbed Africa's tallest mountain for charity, PT Owen Bevan has been inspired by a similar challenge undertaken by explorer Ross Edgley who climbed the height of Everest on a vertical rope.
Owen, who moved to Belfast last year from the Isle of Mann said that he hopes to raise vital funds for water sanitation charity Dig Deep.
Read more: Man born without limbs finishes Belfast Marathon on a skateboard
"I climbed Kilimanjaro for Dig Deep in 2018 and after moving to Belfast and settling in, I fancied a challenge so I took it upon myself to take on this challenge which is a bit more than a spontaneous decision which I am trying to see through," he told Belfast Live.
"Ross Edgley climbed Everest in 2018 and he has also climbed the ridiculous height on a rope so I figured that it is doable.
"I wanted to set myself a challenge that I could also use to raise some money for the charity that I used to work for."
While the challenge is set to be physically enduring as Owen will climb the rope a total of 1,179 times, it will also be mentally challenging and to combat this, he has put together a training programme which will see him peak on the day of the event.
"The programme had me climbing the rope for an hour once a week but the mental side of it is a big factor.
"The longest climb that I have done yet was two and a half hours which was 20 per cent of the whole thing.
"It comes to a point when I come off the rope that I don't want to get back on it. I am touching my feet down each time, I am not staying on the rope the entire time.
"When we get past a few hundred climbs, each time I let go of the rope it is a battle to get back on and climb up again.
"The team at Apex Clinic have also been supporting me with physio as I get ready for the challenge."
Owen is aiming to complete the challenge in 12 hours at David Lloyd gym in Dundonald and has organised a number of competitions throughout the day which will allow him to take short breaks from the climb.
"In order to keep it timely I won't have the luxury to take short breaks," he said.
"The simplest way to explain how the money that I raise will help people, it is taps, toilets and training.
"Dig Deep work in schools in Kenya to provide rain water collection units, the highest grade sanitation toilets without rain water and training from the likes of what a bar of soap is to health training."
To donate to Owen's fundraiser, click here .
*And for those wondering the height of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a mere 19,340ft.
READ NEXT:
Watch the moment quick thinking neighbours help put out fire in Bangor
Gas Caverns: 11 NI priority species found within 100m of hypersaline discharge point
Northern Ireland public 'ignoring rising skin cancer risks', leading charity warns
Belfast City Marathon 2023 results: Official times from this year's race
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
