THE snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji beckons for a Kendal man trying to raise money for Mencap.

Richard Sutton, of Birchwood Close is preparing to trek through the five lakes region of the Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan to the summit of Mount Fuji to raise £2,500 for the Westmorland branch of the charity.

Mr Sutton trekked through Patagonia in South America in 2000 on a similar fundraising mission, but he said at 58, this trip to Japan to scale the 3,700 metre volcano which last erupted in 1708, may be his final fundraising trek.

Mr Sutton, who is a diet-control diabetic, says the exercise helps him to stay in control of his condition.

Although he has travelled in South East Asia before, this will be Mr Sutton's first trip to Japan where he also hopes to hook up with his Japanese pen-friend, Shigaru Nakagawa, for the first time since they met on a trek 10 years ago.

After similar events in the past Mr Sutton has raised money for charity by delivering illustrated talks about his trips to local groups and hopes to do the same after his Mount Fuji expedition.

Anyone who wants to help with a donation, or by making Mr Sutton's Mencap trek the beneficiary of a fundraising event, or anyone wanting to discuss slide shows following the trek can call him on 01539-733453.