A SELFLESS fundraiser is to cycle the “height of Mount Everest” in Essex in just 24 hours.

Barry Gray, 27, has raised thousands over the years for dozens of charities, including Macmillan, British Heart Foundation, leukaemia charities and bowel cancer charities.

Mr Gray, an electrical mechanical engineer, of Ennismore Gardens, Prittlewell, is teaming up with friend Jacob Chambers to complete the challenge from 5am this Saturday along Essex Way - an 81-mile long footpath.

His mum, Mary Gray, is hoping residents will come along and cheer them both on, helping to raise as much money as possible for Little Havens Hospice.

She said: “His friend Jacob decided that he wanted to do the equivalent of climbing Everest in cycling.

“They decided to raise money for Little Havens Hospice, so far they have raised £332.

“It is some mad idea they had and it will be 29,029ft in 24 hours, which is the same height as Everest.

“He works full time and he is coming up with goals and times of professional athletes - he looks after himself.”

Mr Gray is no stranger to a challenge – he has completed Ben Nevis in Scotland as part of a triathlon, the Jurassic Coast, London to Brighton and the Hadleigh Half Marathon.

The pair will cycle up hills until they have reached the height of Everest and all money will go directly to Little Havens Hospice, based in Benfleet.

The hospice must raise at least £100,000 a week to provide its care for children with life limiting conditions.

Mrs Gray added: “I am hoping people will come along and bring him a flask of tea to keep him going.

“He does this all in his own time, he pays for his own accommodation and he uses his holidays to get the time off work because he enjoys it.

“He is just selfless, I think he has raised thousands for charities over the years.

“I am very proud of him.”

To donate to the cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/everestessexway