A COLLEGE tutor is determined to overcome his health problems to climb the world's tallest mountain - outside a mountain range - and raise funds for homeless children and orphans.

Mike Applegarth, 48, a lecturer in computing at Darlington College of Technology, is planning to trek almost 20,000ft up Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, for charity.

Mr Applegarth was once an active sportsman, taking part in cross-country events and playing football, hockey and basketball, but he developed arthritis 12 years ago.

"I became fat and lazy and 16-and-a-half stone," he said. "Then six months ago I decided it was time to wake up and get back into the real world. As for the arthritis, I just run through it, as life is too short to worry about it."

Now three-and-a-half stones lighter, he runs and walks up to 40 miles a week.

Mr Applegarth is trying to raise funds for the ten-day Kilimanjaro trip in February and hopes to collect up to £5,000 for the charity Hope and Homes, which helps children without homes and orphans in Africa and eastern Europe.

Anyone wanting to support Mr Applegarth can contact him on 07890 260610 or at 36 Alverton Drive, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 7PD, or visit his website at http://www.justgiving.com/ mikes-trek