CLIMBING the highest mountain in Africa would be a challenging task for any avid mountaineer but a young Tavistock man will be attempting the climb, supporting his registered blind father early next year.

Jacob Gibbins, 19, is planning to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with his father Tim, 57, who suffers with the genetic disease Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a deterioration of the retina which eventually causes incurable blindness.

The pair are trying to raise as much as possible for the RP Fighting Blindness charity which is a self-help group that helps members live with and overcome their visual problems and funds a range of research projects into the causes and eventual treatment of RP.

Jacob said: 'A few months ago I was working in the Alps, photographing the world MTB race series, when we drove through the highest mountain in Western Europe — Mont Blanc — and looking at it from down on the road I thought, I want to get up that.

'I came home a few weeks later and told my dad, who used to be an avid hill walker and climber, and he said four simple words that made me think hard. "Take me with you".

'You may think so what? but my dad is registered blind and has lost the majority of his sight so it becomes a bit more of a task.'

After a lot of thought and research, Jacob decided Mont Blanc would be too hard, with too much climbing, too busy and little chance of getting to the top with the weather, so the pair decided to take on Mt Kilimanjaro. They have named the event the Blind Summit 2011, and it will take place in February.

'We are both really excited about doing this,' said Jacob. 'It's something we are both passionate about and my dad has wanted to climb one of the big peaks of the world for some 40 years, so being able to help him and be there with him right to the top, will be an amazing experience — but we need everyone's kind support to make this a success and raise money and awareness for RP.'

In preparation for the Blind Summit, Tim has given up smoking after 40 years, and both are regularly attending the gym. Jacob said: 'By the time February 7 comes around, we will be ready to get to the top!'

Anyone who would like to support Jacob and Tim, and help raise money for RP Fighting Blindness can donate via the Just Giving website, http://www.justgiving.com/BlindSummit2011">www.justgiving.com/BlindSummit2011