A BARRY dentist and rugby team manager will get his teeth into an adventurous charity challenge when he tackles Africa’s highest peak.

32-year-old Kenneth Chow, who practises in the dental surgery on Tynewydd Road and manages Barry RFC, will fly to Tanzania this Saturday ready to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro and raise funds for Bridge2Aid.

Ken will scale the mountain for the charity which provides community and dental care in the poorest areas of East Africa.

He has raised more than £5,000 so far, but is hoping more people will donate to the cause as he spends six days ascending and descending the mountain.

Ken, who is originally from Hong Kong, said: “I have decided to take the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as I have worked with the charity of choice, Bridge2Aid, twice before in Tanzania where they are based. I have developed an affinity for the country after several visits and see climbing Kilimanjaro as the next logical step in my adventures in Tanzania.

“I have not scaled any mountains that are comparable to Kilimanjaro but recently completed the Welsh three peaks - mere hillocks compared to Kilimanjaro - and have also climbed the three highest peaks in Great Britain - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - I have worked as a volunteer in Bridge2Aid's community projects in Mwanza, Tanzania, and also as a volunteer dentist in India, Romania and Peru with other charities.

“Training has been varied, ranging from gym work, rugby training, and climbing the aforementioned mountains, and of course plenty of hiking. There is no training that can replace time spent in your hiking boots in the open air.”

He added: “I am very much looking forward to seeing the sunrise on the final day of the ascent - the sixth day. It will be ample reward after trekking the final portion in darkness, in sub-zero temperatures and decreasing oxygen in the atmosphere. Altitude sickness will be the thing I am least looking forward to."

To sponsor Ken, visit www.justgiving.com/kenchow.