SOUTH Lakeland teenager Joe Taylor, 19, has set himself two gruelling fund raising goals in preparation for climbing Africa’s highest mountain.

Joe plans to complete the Great North Swim in Windermere and the Three Peaks Challenge - summiting Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - this month before climbing the 19,341ft to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in July.

The Durham University geography student has already been promised £2,535 in sponsorship towards his £3,000 fund raising target, which will be split equally between the Save The Children Emergency Fund and his Kilimanjaro expediton costs.

“This is a really worthwhile cause as Save The Children responds to crises worldwide such as wars and earthquakes as well as providing malaria prevention and childhood education where we’re going in Tanzania,” said Joe, of Duke Street, Holme.

In addition to climbing the inactive volcano, Joe will spend several weeks in August as part of a team from Durham University helping build a new water supply at an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS.

Donations towards Joe’s fundraising can be made either via Holme Post Office or by visiting www.justgiving.com/ ginger-joe .