THE TREK of a lifetime is in store for Ross Woodruffe who will be following his heart for charity by climbing to Everest base camp despite two knee operations in the last year.

The 21-year-old Littleport student aims to raise thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation when he makes the trip to Nepal in March 2012.

The former City of Ely Community College student said he felt it was time to set himself a challenge that would also help others.

“My two granddads have had heart problems. One has had a pacemaker fitted and another has had a heart bypass.

“I also have a cousin who suffered heart problems so it felt like the right charity to get involved with,” said Ross, who has plenty of hiking experience under his belt from time spent with the 1094 Ely Air Cadets, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and the Liverpool University Air Squadron where he has just completed a degree in engineering.

He is concentrating on keeping fit and staying focused following two operations for reconstruction surgery on his knee.

“I jumped off a climbing wall from eight feet, fell wrong and did a lot of damage, but with the right physio and gym work I know I will be strong enough for the challenge,” said Ross.

In the meantime he is spending his summer holidays working with his father as a labourer for Anglian Home Improvements before returning to Liverpool to study for a Masters degree in engineering.

“I wanted to do something significant that would be an experience of a lifetime.”

Ross is holding a golf tournament at On Par Driving Range, Ely in October to start the fund raising ball rolling. You can also help by visiting justgiving.com/rosswoodruffeeveresttrek to donate.

A charity quiz is also taking place on August 24 from 7.30pm at Littleport Leisure Centre.