A pharmacist and his wife are preparing to take on Africa’s highest mountain.

Gurjit and Raj Singh will be setting off for Tanzania on Saturday, January 18 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mr Singh, who owns Otley Pharmacy on Market Place, had decided a while ago that he would like to undertake the challenge to mark his 40th birthday.

The couple will also be aiming to raise £3,000 in donations for children’s cancer charity Candlelighters.

They have a donations page at give.everydayhero.com/uk/gurj-raj-trek-kilimanjaro.

Mr Singh said: “I decided to climb Kilimanjaro some time ago for my 40th and I managed to rope my lovely wife Raj into accompanying me.

“Our little trek came up in conversation with one of our regular customers/friends, John, who asked what charity we were doing it for.

“To be honest I’d not really given it any thought.

“Raj and I talked about a charity, a good cause and something that was important to us.

“Our children are the most precious things to us, as every parent’s children are to them. We are all so lucky that we can live normal, healthy lives.

“But what about those children that can’t?

“We’ve created this page because we want to make a difference.

“We’re inspired by the work of Candlelighters and wanted to support them by raising money. Please help us help them by giving whatever you can.

“The more people that know about Candlelighters the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing our page with your friends and family.”

The Singhs have been putting in a lot of preparation to ensure they are in good shape for the climb.

Mr Singh said: “In terms of training my wife and I have been doing a lot more walking; Mount Snowdon - the highest mountain in Wales - being our latest trek.

“We have also covered several of the peaks in the Dales including Penyghent, Whernside, Ingleborough, Buckden Pike, and Great Whernside while also doing our regular gym sessions and various running routes.

“Otley Chevin has been very useful for training, too!”

A dormant volcano, Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit is 5,895 metres above sea level. It is the highest single free-standing mountain in the world.

Candlelighters provides essential services and support to children with cancer and their families in Yorkshire.

Based in Leeds, the charity was formed in 1976 and is run by the parents of children who have, or have had, cancer along with the medical staff who treat them and ex-patients.

To find out more visit www.candlelighters.org.uk.