A GRUELLING trek up Mount Kilimanjaro is being organised by a York man to raise £200,000 for the construction of an orphanage in Tanzania.

Travis Young, 39, is gathering a team of climbers to tackle the mountain in January 2016 and will use donations to establish a facility capable of caring for more than 100 children.

Originally from the United States, Mr Young has been a York resident for five years and currently fundraises for the Kilimanjaro Orphan Centre, which cares for 60 children – but the orphanage is strained and a new centre is needed.

Mr Young, of South Bank, said: “We hear about children who have lost their parents; they’re not going to school. They’re stuck in that environment because there are not enough orphanages.

“We’re trying to build an orphanage that can house up to 140 children and that was where I hatched the idea for a charity climb with people from around the world.”

So far £40,000 has been raised and 10 climbers are currently on board, including Mr Young’s wife Melanie and one of their neighbours, but he hopes that number will double before the ascent goes ahead.

“I’m about to secure a couple more from York,” he said, “I’m trying to reel them in slowly – they are a bit worried about their fitness.”

The Kilimanjaro Orphan Centre was established in 2009 to provide care and shelter to children in the Moshi area of Tanzania, which has been badly affected by an increase in HIV and AIDS cases.

Mr Young, who has climbed Kilimanjaro once before in 2007, also hopes that some of those based at the current centre, including one of the orphans, Shedrack Igungu, will be able to visit York before the climb.

“It would be great for Shedrack as a representative for the children to come here and meet with donors,” Mr Young said.