Father-of-two will face the heat in the South American jungle (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Father-of-two will face the heat in the South American jungle

12:29pm Wednesday 20th May 2009

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SURVIVING in the heart of a bug-infested jungle is the latest challenge facing Cotswold action man Mike Ponting.

Running, cycling, rafting and abseiling are some of the activities the father-of-two will endure during a nine-day adventure in Borneo.

"I am a bit concerned about the sustained level of physical effort in 80 percent humidity and jungle temperatures."

Mike Ponting

The 36-year-old from Winstone near Cirencester is taking part in the Kinabalu challenge to raise funds for the youth development charity, Raleigh International.

The nine days will culminate in a dawn summit of Mount Kinabalu - 4,100m above sea level.

To help prepare, Mike will be taking part in the 10k Cirencester Fun Run on June 14.

Raleigh International, a charity that enables young people to volunteer in developing countries, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Mike was inspired to go on his first expedition when his father, Mick Ponting, returned from Mongolia in 1992.

In 1995 he visited Guyana in South America with Raleigh where he walked 338 miles in three weeks delivering vaccines to remote communities.

He even met his wife Rachel while volunteering for Raleigh and the couple now have a son Fred, 2, and daughter Rose, six months.

"I am looking forward to getting to the summit at dawn on the ninth day, and also a bit concerned about the sustained level of physical effort in 80 percent humidity and jungle temperatures," he said.

To support Mike's Kinabalu Challenge visit www.justgiving.com/makingthelink

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