AN adventurous sales rep is aiming to stand on top of the world as he steps up plans for a 17-day trek to the base camp of Mount Everest in October.

Simon Martin, 44, from Newton-le-Willows, is raising money for the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity to say thank you for the lifesaving care and treatment that his mum and partner received.

“I wanted to contribute towards a debt I will never be able to repay,” said Simon.

“Five years ago my mum, Val, was diagnosed with severe heart failure with damage to all four chambers of her heart.

“At Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital her cardiac surgeon carried out pioneering minimally invasive surgery and the improvement in her quality of life has been significant.”

As if that wasn’t enough, last year Simon’s partner, Claire, suffered a cardiac arrest on her way home from work and was found slumped at the wheel of her car.

He added: “After being pulled from her car by a passer-by and being given cardiac massage by a passing anaesthetist until the paramedics arrived, she was finally brought to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for emergency treatment.

“So supporting the hospital’s charity is the least I can do.”

Simon will be joined on the trek, which forces participants to grapple with sub-zero temperatures and altitude sickness, by his friend, Nathan Liptrot, 45.

Together the friends will trek to Everest Base Camp at 5364m and to the summit of Kala Patthar at 5643m.

He said: “The best way of supporting the hospital was by doing something out of the ordinary and Everest has always been on my bucket list of places to go.

“Alongside the obvious physical efforts of walking up to 9 hours a day for 17 days, the physiological effects of the altitude will be the biggest challenge.”

The two friends have been walking seriously for about two years, completing many of the main walks in the UK. They have also been building up their training with strength and conditioning and cardiovascular work, to try to get ready for the lower oxygen levels.

Simon added: “It’s going to be challenging, but I know that the feeling of standing on top of the world will be huge, although it’ll never compare with the feeling of knowing that your loved ones are still around.

“For that, we’ll always feel indebted to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.”

To sponsor Simon visit: bit.ly/2L9gVwC