Heathcote heading for the summit

Restaurant boss Paul Heathcote is swapping the kitchen apron for his hiking boots in a bid to raise money for charity.

Mr Heathcote will tackle one of the Alps' deadliest peaks when he takes on the 15,000ft Matterhorn on the Italy and Switzerland border with his 75-year-old father Ken.

The celebratory chef's aim is to raise around £15,000 for the NSPCC's ChildLine service, while Ken is donating funds to Help for Heroes and Band of Mothers, which both support troops.

The pair came up with the idea to complete the challenging five-day trek, starting on the 18^th August, over Christmas dinner.

Neither of the men have any previous climbing experience and both have been in intensive training on indoor climbing walls for the past year.

Paul, who owns Simply Heathcotes in Liverpool; Grado, a Spanish fine dining restaurant in Manchester; London Road, a celebrity favourite in Cheshire's Alderley Edge; and a portfolio of seven Olive Press restaurants across the North West of England said:

"We are both excited and nervous at the thought of the journey ahead as 14,692ft over two days is a big undertaking.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am delighted to be raising money for such a worthy cause.

"Being able to have my father there with me will be the memory I will have more than anything else."

Anyone wanting to support Paul and Ken Heathcote can visit: www.justgiving.com/paulclimbsthematterhorn or www.kenandthematterhorn.com website.