A SEA cadet from York has come through a tough selection process to win a place on a gruelling expedition to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain.

Connor Hick, a paper boy for The Press in the Lindsey Avenue area of York, where he lives, will fly to Nepal next August to launch a bid to reach Mount Everest’s base camp at 5,360-metres high.

The 15-year-old is the only member of York Sea Cadets to be chosen for the 21-day trek and will be joined by 23 other Army, Navy and Air Cadets from across Yorkshire and the Humber.

He now has the challenge of raising £1,200 to fund the expedition – but Connor aims to exceed that target and donate the extra cash to Martin House Hospice, in Boston Spa, where his 11-year-old cousin, Kelsie Copping, died in 2005.

Kelsie, who was known as the “Pink Princess”, had her young life cut short by multiple sclerosis.

Connor, who goes to Millthorpe School, said: “She was always smiling and giggling and I would like to raise as much money as I can for Martin House Hospice because they looked after Kelsie so well.”

To qualify for the expedition, Connor took part in two selection days, where he was put through a series of exhausting fitness tests and team-building exercises, and had to give a presentation on the ship, TS Royalist.

Connor, who plays basketball for his school team and goes kayaking with the cadets, has already started his training by tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

He completed the 23-mile hike in ten hours and 45 minutes, raising £450 in sponsorship money towards his fundraising total.

The Year 11 pupil, who is drum major for York Sea Cadets’ band, said: “I’m a bit nervous about the Mount Everest trek because I don’t want to get altitude sickness and they’ve told us about leeches dropping on you, but I’m also really excited and can’t wait.”

The teenager, who joined the Sea Cadets five years ago, has his sights set on joining the Royal Navy as an officer and flying jet planes.

His mum, Tanya Hick, a ward clerk at Stockton Hall Hospital, said: “I’m proud as punch, we all are.

“It’s the chance of a lifetime for him.”

If you would like to sponsor Connor, make cheques payable to Connor Hick and send them to York Sea Cadets, 21-22 Skeldergate, York, YO1 6DH.

If you would like to take part in a fundraising golf tournament on October 31 at Swallow Hall Golf Club, in Wheldrake, or a five-a-side football tournament at the Railway Institute sports grounds in Acomb, on November 1, phone Tanya on 07927 570636.