A BOLTON-born student is raising money for the country's most deprived children by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Student Alex Myers, 19, is aiming to raise £3,400 before trekking up one of the world’s tallest mountains.

Alex, who attended Canon Slade high school, will be joining fellow Bath University students on the trip to Tanzania.

The team is donating their funds to The Children’s Society, a charity aiming to protect vulnerable children in the UK.

Alex said he learned about the charity after he first saw the trip advertised at university

He said: “As I learned more about the charity and what they do, I realised that this was a great cause and one that I could really get behind and support.

“I have been having such a great time at university and I was moved to find that not every child has had the same opportunities, not every child has parents and a family that are as loving and willing to support them as my parents are, not every child can spend their time working towards achieving their goals like I have.”

While preparing for the climb to the roof of Africa, he has been raising money in Bath with bake sales and bucket collections before he travels in August.

The student returned to his home town of Over Hulton during the Christmas break and was met with support from the local community. Members of the Over Hulton Community Group even donated £500 to Alex’s total, giving him a welcome boost.

Alex said: “It will be a challenge both physically and mentally to reach the summit but reaching the summit will feel even more special knowing the effect that it will have on the lives of so many children across the UK.”

To donate, head to Alex’s JustGiving page justgiving.com/fundraising/Alex-Myers2