FORMER Plymouth Albion team manager Simon Hicklin is bidding to reach new heights in the aid of the Royal Marines Charity this month.

Hicklin flies out to Nepal on Thursday in a bid to walk to Everest’s base camp.

He hopes to complete the difficult uphill trek in 12 days, which is five days quicker than it normally takes.

“It is something I have always wanted to do,” said HIcklin. “So I am really looking forward to it.

“I have funded it myself but I thought I would do it for charity, so I am doing it for the Royal Marines Charity.

“I have been training for the last six months, walking with boots and 20kg on my back. I have lost three stones in weight. Fitness-wise I am not too concerned, but it is the altitude that will be the biggest problem. We are going to have two days acclimatisation.

“The base camp is nearly 6,000m above sea level and we will be walking eight hours a day.”

Hicklin has set up a Just Giving page if anyone wants to sponsor him. It can be found HERE.