A regional newspaper company’s PR man will climb 50 peaks in 50 weeks to raise mountains of money for charity.

Archant corporate communications manager Keith Morris and wife Nicky aim to raise funds to help a Norfolk-based charity carry out 50 life-changing operations for people far less fortunate than themselves in rural Zambia.

The couple who both turn 50 early this year have pledged to attempt the challenge to mark the occasion and raise money for the Mercy Flyers charity.

Over the next 50 weeks the pair, who are walking peak novices, plan to climb Scafell Pike and Snowdon – the biggest mountains in England and Wales – as well peak  in the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Brecon Beacons.

Keith and Nicky Morris complete their first challenge

Said Keith: “In total, we reckon if we complete the challenge we will have each climbed the height of Everest – twice.

“It is quite a life-changing time for us. Our two children have recently left home to go to university and we wanted to mark the birthday milestone in an unusual but worthwhile way.

“We are determined to rise to the challenge and hope our family, friends, colleagues and others will want to support a very worthy cause. We will also be inviting our family and friends to join us in climbing a peak or two.”

Nicky, who is a doctor, said: “Keith came up with this crazy idea and in a weak moment I agreed to go along with it. But seriously, the work that Mercy Flyers do is really great and will help focus my mind in the more difficult moments.”

The duo began the challenge on New Year’s Day itself by climbing three of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire and Keith will be writing a column about their adventures for Archant’s Let’s Talk magazine as well as for a blog at http://50peaks.wordpress.com/

The pair aim to raise several thousand pounds to pay for 50 life-changing operations carried out by the Mercy Flyers team, led by former Norfolk doctors Craig and Rae Oranmore-Brown, whom Keith and Nicky met through the Norwich Vineyard church.

Three years ago they gave up hospital consultant jobs inNorfolkto launch a flying doctors service inZambiain southernAfrica.

The Mercy Flyers team perform or enable life-transforming operations such eye surgery, limb amputations and replacement prosthetic limbs.

Craig is a pilot and anaesthetist, Rae is a consultant surgeon. They need funds to pay for the plane and fuel, surgeries, operations and equipment. A £30 donation would help pay for a life-changing cataract operation, £85 for a below the knee amputation replacement limb and £270 for a foot amputation replacement limb. Even £2 would help pay for one nautical mile of a medical flight.

Keith will be applying to the Archant Gold staff charity matched funding scheme to double his charitable efforts.

To sponsor the couple visit http://www.bmycharity.com/50peaks