A CIRENCESTER firefighter is set to feel the burn in his most gruelling challenge yet – trekking to Mount Everest base camp.

Des Moore, from Watermoor, does not shy away from action. The father-of-three served in the Gloucester Regiment for 18 years, works for Gloucestershire Police and is also a retained firefighter at Cirencester station.

Now Des is preparing for his next mountainous mission – all 17,000 feet of it – in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity.

The 43-year-old said he hoped he would never need to lean on the services provided by the charity, but that it was a vital resource for firefighters and their families.

"They run rehabilitation centres, support families if the worst comes to the worst and they also help fire fighters deal with trauma," he said.

Over the past 11 years as a retained firefighter, Des said had only experienced one death as a result of fire, but he had dealt with several deaths due to car crashes.

"Since Christmas we’ve had quite a few traumatic road casualties," he said. "That can be a difficult thing to deal with and the charity helps with that."

Des does not set foot on Mount Everest until May next year, but he is starting his fundraising early with the aim of raising at least £3,500 for the charity, which costs around £9million to run each year.

Cirencester Mistubishi has already pledged £350, but Des is hopeful more local sponsors will come forward.

Donate and find out about upcoming fundraising events at justgiving.com/Desmond-Moore