A NEW Year's resolution by a property investment firm is set to benefit a cancer charities.

The Helmsley Group, the Pocklington-based property group which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, will attempt to raise £25,000 for Marie Curie Cancer during 2005.

Helmsley director Richard Peak, 34, pictured, is kick-starting the challenge by hoping to beat his record achieved last year of raising £12,500 for the charity when he undertakes a new charity challenge in March.

Richard, who lives in Clifton, York, is in training to complete a gruelling 18-day trek to Everest base camp, where he will reach a height of more than 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) and experience the effects of thin mountain air.

He is undertaking marathon-type training to get ready and says he's up to the challenge.

"It was a challenging yet rewarding experience to trek across the Annapurna mountain range in the Himalayas last year and I am looking forward to the new challenge of Everest," he said.

"Unfortunately cancer touches and affects more and more people, including members of my own family, and I am proud to continue to support Marie Curie, who make such a huge difference to the lives of people living with cancer."

money raised by Richard will be used to support the vital work of local Marie Curie Nurses in Yorkshire who provide practical nursing care to people with cancer in their own homes. The service is offered free of charge to patients and their families.

Louise Bamford, Marie Curie fundraising manager, said: "Taking on a challenge like this is just amazing. Richard will be pushing himself to the limit and all to raise money to help terminally-ill cancer patients remain at home to die.

"He is a very special person and we are very grateful to him for his support"

Anyone wanting to make a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care by sponsoring Richard should phone 01759 302101.

Updated: 10:44 Wednesday, January 19, 2005