A man is set to complete a ‘daredevil’ cycling challenge to raise money for a school in Nepal.

Neil Laughton, from Henfield, will be heading for the Himalayas to lead a team of five cyclists up the Putha Hiunchuli mountain in North West Nepal.

Neil, 60, is due to set off on August 31 and expects the climb to take 15 days, while the cycle back down should last only three.

The team is also hoping to beat a Guinness World Record for cycling at the highest altitude, which currently stands at 7,211 metres. However, their ride is due to take place at 7,246 metres.

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The challenge is in aid of struggling school Tensing Norgay in Nepal.

Neil, a former Royal Marine commando, said: “The people of Nepal have always treated us with incredible kindness. So when I saw the condition of its dilapidated school where 70 children were trying to learn in a freezing cold building with no insulation, proper flooring and very little furniture, I was appalled and felt moved to do something about it.

“We’ve been improving the building’s insulation and heating. We have also added solar panels to the roof.

“So far, we’ve raised £15,000 and we’ll use it for further improvement and also install internet access and provide IT training and 10 laptops for the children.”

The team has been training hard for the gruelling challenge ahead.

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Neil added: “All members of the team have been working hard to prepare for this demanding expedition by hiking up the hills of the South Downs with our bikes and riding down again.

“We have also all undergone an intensive programme of pre-altitude training in The Altitude Centre in London.

“The training involved 20 hours on an inclined treadmill, carrying the bike and wearing a mask that simulates high altitude by taking the oxygen levels down from 21 per cent to 9 per cent.”

Neil currently holds four Guinness World Records - the world’s highest dinner party, which was on Mount Everest, and three involving penny farthing rides. His goal is to achieve five more this year.