A WILTSHIRE funeral director who is suffering from a terminal illness is committed to completing a charity climb up Mount Everest, despite doctors warning that he may not return.

Nick Jones, 50, is raising more than £6,000 to establish a foundation that will help support bereaved children after he has died.

Mr Jones, of Dorset Drive, Westbury, has been diagnosed with malignant hypertension, a terminal illness that attacks the heart and internal organs.

Mr Jones has suffered from the condition for the past eight years and has had numerous health scares which have resulted in him receiving electric shock treatment to re-start his heart.

Despite needing the emergency treatment just last month, Mr Jones is determined to soldier on with eight others, to complete the Everest climb next month.

He leaves for Nepal next Friday (Oct 19) and is expecting to return to the UK in mid-November following the 22-day trip.

He said: “My doctor Rob Lowe at the RUH in Bath has told me, that there is a good chance I won’t come back. He has advised that I don’t go up there and just let the others attempt the climb.

“It is difficult to deal with that news, but I am not going to stop now. I am committed to going for it, without a doubt.

“We, as a team, know it will be difficult, but we have raised so much money that will go towards a foundation that will carry on long after I am gone.

“I don’t know what to expect. I am confident about reaching Everest base camp, but climbing to Island Peak, which is another few thousand feet higher, is daunting but I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

The attempt on Everest is Nick’s first, although he has previously climbed smaller UK mountains such as Ben Nevis.

Recently, Mr Jones received £400 in donations from two Melksham businesses, Total Carpets and TJ professional builders, for which he is very grateful.

He added: “The generosity knocks me off my feet. We appreciate donations no matter how big or small. It will all go along way to helping the foundation

“On our foundation t-shirts it says, ‘If you can’t make a mark, leave a mark’ and that’s what I intend to do and help everyone others.”

To donate to The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children, visit their Go Fund Me page at www.go fundme.com/NickJones Foundation.