AN intrepid St Thomas's councillor and his son are busy planning their next action-packed adventure to rake in cash for borough charities.

Councillor Steve Waltho and his 17-year-old son James are planning to climb the world's highest free standing mountain - Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro - later this year.

No strangers to arduous charity walks, the dynamic duo walked 190 miles from coast to coast across the north of England two years ago to mark Steve's 50th birthday.

Steve himself has run numerous marathons, cycled the length of the country and completed the 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge twice.

But even energetic Mr Waltho senior admits he will be venturing into the unknown with his latest challenge, set for October.

He said: "At 51 I am running out of time to complete my tick list of physical ambitions.

"I've always felt very fortunate to have had decent health and spent a lot of time utilising that gift to help those less fortunate, but this event holds unexplored dangers.

"No-one can predict how they will react to the extreme height and even very fit people have been struck down with altitude sickness. Also there will be extremes of temperature to endure."

The conditions on Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, change from warm and dry to tropical to below freezing on the icy summit, which stands at 19,340ft.

Steve, who works as a shift team leader at Oldbury chemical manufacturer Rhodia, and Stourbridge College student James are currently seeking sponsorship for their mission to raise money for Dudley-based Action Heart, children's charity Dudley Hope, Dudley Cancer Support and Lupus West Midlands.

Any big-hearted businesses or individuals wishing to support the pair can call Steve on 07703 308463.