A WEBSITE designer is swapping hyperlinks for hiking boots to climb Africa’s highest mountain for an Oxford charity.

Kevin Robertson, of Greater Leys, Oxford, is heading to Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro next month in a bid to raise £15,000 for Sobell House hospice.

The 32-year-old was introduced to the charity by his employer, The Big Oxford Computer Company, which redesigned the hospice’s website.

The hospice, at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, provides end-of-life and respite care for hundreds of patients a year.

Mr Robertson said he had never attempted anything so strenuous before.

He said: “This is a personal challenge that I decided to do in 2009 to do something a bit different, and at the same time raise some money for a good local cause.

“I have been training for many months to get fit, raising valuable funds for Sobell House, and undertaking a physically demanding challenge.

“Hopefully the thought of those people I’ll be helping will help me during the hardest parts of the climb. It is a fantastic local charity.”

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, standing 19,341ft above sea level.

The climb will involve camping at high altitudes where temperatures can top 30C and plummet to -20C in 24 hours.

Mr Robertson, who has so far raised about £5,000, added: “It will take a lot of time, effort and commitment, and is far from being a holiday.”

Hospice spokesman Kevin Game said: “Kevin has already done a great job fundraising for the charity – every penny he raises will make a huge difference.

“Kilimanjaro is a huge challenge.”

The hospice was originally built and paid for by businessman and philanthropist Sir Michael Sobell in 1976 and was opened by the Duchess of Kent.

As well as 18 in-patient beds, for end-of-life and respite care, the centre has a day centre for therapy, pain management and social activities.

To sponsor Mr Robertson visit uk.virgin moneygiving.com/ kevrob63