TWO financial advisers face swapping accounts for altitude sickness when they take on a charity challenge to climb to the foot of Mount Everest.

Robert Briggs, 57 and Gary Bricknell, 45, are to take on the trek for a good causes fund administered by their London-based financial services company St James’s Place.

They are partners in the firm and have paid for the journey in a group bid to raise £250,000, which the company will then double. Each is aiming to raise at least £12,500.

More than 25 partners will take part in the 17-day April excursion to Everest Base Camp, taking in more than 120 miles to heights of up to 18,500ft.

Brightwell-cum-Sotwell resident Mr Briggs said he had undertaken the best possible training by climbing Africa’s 19,240ft Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009.

He said: “It was tough, especially the last day.

“I am very excited about it. I keep myself pretty fit so the challenge is more about raising the sponsorship money.”

The keen triathlete said his routine of gym and cycle work-outs three to four times a week should put him in good stead for the climb.

But he said: “There is no guarantee that will safeguard against altitude sickness.”

Mr Bricknell, of Overthorpe, near Banbury, said: “Altitude sickness scares you, it can get anybody, you can be super fit.

“Circumstances can change, weather can change, people have been stranded there for 15 days.”

Group training in the Lake District every six weeks and cardio work in the gym had boosted his fitness, he said.

He said: “I think it will be fun. Everybody has different personalities, it is a good team.”

But he said: “I have never done anything like this before, I am not a natural walker or trekker.

“Not having a shower for 17 days will be difficult, I’m not sure I will be able to function!”

The St James’s Place Foundation, a charitable organisation linked to the firm, will donate the cash to causes that help children with special needs and hospices.

The firm said trekkers went through a “rigorous selection process”.

  • Sponsor Mr Briggs visit justgving.com/Robert-Briggs18200 and Mr Bricknell at justgiving.com/gbeverestbasecamp