Company owner takes on Seven Summit challenge

Recently back from his latest conquest - Mount Vinson, Antarctica's highest peak - his expeditions have so far raised more than £16,500 for St Oswald's Hospice.

His last trip saw the him brave temperatures as low as -35°c with wind chills of 15 knots over a gruelling two-week period in which he climbed a total of 16,050ft. John, whose businesses are based in Team Valley, said: "Mountaineering has always been a childhood fascination of mine.

"I'm not sure whether it's a mid-life crisis or just a need to put myself through the ultimate test but I have set myself the challenge of climbing the seven highest peaks in the seven continents in the world.

"There were times on the climb when I wanted to give up but I had to remember why I was doing this.

"The scariest part was probably when I was up on the summit ridge. My mask was nearly frozen and I had a 1,000ft drop on either side of me."

While John has had a lot of success on his climbs, his attempt to scale Acconcahuac in South America fell short when, for the first time, he was unable to complete a climb.

He said: "I'd been away for nearly five weeks and I'd lost two stone.

"I wasn't as organised as I had been in the past but I've gained a lot more experience since and I'll be attempting it again."

John, who grew up in Newcastle and now lives near Hexham, is training for a climb of Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world, in September.

The climb will act as a warm-up to his challenge of Mount Everest in April 2011. During every expedition John keeps focused with thoughts of his efforts to raise thousands of pounds for St Oswald's Hospice.

He said: "I have always lived in the North East and I'm a Geordie born and bred and very proud.

"I wanted to do something that would benefit the region and also help children and St Oswald's is a charity close to my heart."

St Oswald's provides specialist care to North East adults, young people and children with life limiting conditions.

It costs £8m to run the Hospice every year, with £6m needed to be raised through voluntary giving. Services are free, ensuring that care is available to all.

John will be continuing his fundraising efforts for St Oswald's with the attempt at Mount Everest, heading on to Mount Kosciuszko in Australia and Mount McKinley in Alaska before his second attempt at Acconcahuac.

To find out more about John's Seven Summit Challenge visit www.johns7summits.co.uk

John Holland on Mount Kilimanjaro