AN Oakhurst dad will attempt to conquer one of the tallest mountains in the world in honour of his mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Stuart Sellar will climb the 19,318 foot mountain next January to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro as part of a fifteen-strong team raising money for Alzheimer’s UK.

The 38-year-old from Oakhurst was inspired to help the charity after his mother Kathleen, 72, was diagnosed with the disease six years ago.

“There are seven stages of the disease, she’s right at the end,” said Stuart.

“She finds it difficult to speak and is very incoherent sometimes. She knows I’m someone safe though.

“The way I see it is it’s like a game of Russian Roulette, one in six people will be affected by Alzheimer’s – it’s not fair so this is about funding the research to stop this happening.”

“I know she loves me and her children and I’m really passionate about this because it has taken the person my mum once was.”

Kathleen is now in a care home in Wells, Gloucestershire, where she can be near her son Christian.

Stuart said that he enjoyed a close relationship with his mother, who loved gardening before she became ill.

He said that he and his brothers Christian, James and Nicholas are only able to function if they keep busy.

He said: “My mother was the most eccentric, zany character before she became ill and my happiest memories of her are of being in a sunny garden with her.”

Stuart has already raised £842 of a planned £4,200 thanks to the support of family and friends, including dad Norman, 73, and colleagues at Greensquare Construction in Westlea, where he works as a buyer.

Other fundraising events planned include a head-shave, pub golf and a wear-your-pants-on-the-outside day.

Proud father Stuart will also be supported by wife Louise and children, son Adeh, four, and daughter Amalie, one.

The Alzheimer’s charity funds research into dementia and aims to improve the quality of life for those with the condition and carers.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ForKathleen or www.facebook.com/KiliForKathleen.