A MAN whose wife died suddenly after a trip to the French Alps is planning to return to the mountains to celebrate what would have been their 25th anniversary.

Malcolm and Barbara Rowland's took a mountaineering holiday in 2005.

But Barbara became ill shortly after her return.

"She seemed perfectly healthy. Maybe a bit tired, but it is hard work climbing the Alps," said Malcolm, of Grange Park.

When they returned Barbara was diagnosed with acute myloid leukaemia.

Despite two bouts of chemotherapy, Barbara, 45, caught pneumonia and died within three months of being diagnosed.

While in the mountains, Malcolm and Barbara enjoyed Mont Blanc so much, they vowed to return this year to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary there.

Sadly, Malcolm, 49, is now planning to make the trip alone "We wanted to go to Mont Blanc together, but now I'll be climbing it on my own," he said. I'm doing this challenge to make sure her memory lives on."

On July 7 Malcolm will be starting his week's alpine challenge to reach the 4,807m high summit of Europe's tallest mountain.

He is hoping to raise £4,000 for Cancer Research UK with his mammoth climb and said his daughters Carly, 19 and Sadie, 17, had been helping him prepare.

"Many people have failed in this bid for a number of reasons, including altitude sickness and sheer exhaustion," he said.

"I intend to give it my best shot and hope Barbara will spur me on."

Barbara's former bosses at Sainsbury's Bridgemead supermarket were so touched by Malcolm's challenge they agreed to donate £500.

Barbara worked at the supermarket for almost 11 years and Malcolm said he was really grateful that they had agreed to chip in.

"I have set myself the challenge of raising £10,000.

"So far I've got about £8,500," he said.

"I just wanted to make some sort of contribution to try and save others, which was what Barbara always wanted to do.

"Hopefully this money will help scientists to continue their research into the prevention and treatment of cancer."

Malcolm has already been in training for the gruelling climb with the help of the Fitness First gym.

"Fitness First have been great," he said "My trainer Alistair O'Hara has been fantastic getting me in shape for it.

"I've been training with him every week.

"Fitness First also organised a car wash during the bank holiday weekend and made £151."

The gym has also agreed to raffle a year's membership to the gym to help Malcolm raise more money.

Anyone who would like to take part in the raffle can contact the gym by emailing swindonwest@fitnessfirst.com.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Malcolm for the climb can contact him on 07828 907024.