I am about to embark on an expedition to Everest at the end of March. I am returning to attempt the South side of the mountain, from Nepal.

The expedition heads up the Khumbu valley to Everest base camp in early April where I will spend two months on the mountain.

The first 6 weeks will be spent climbing higher and higher on the mountain slowly acclimatising, preparing the route with the team, loading the camps with supplies and oxygen in preparation for a summit bid at the end of May; when hopefully the jet stream winds will lift off the summit before the monsoon and enable us to climb onto the summit at 8850m.

While I was away last time my mother was starting treatment for pancreatic cancer; she had always known I wanted to try and climb Everest and encouraged me to go.

My mother sadly died last May aged 62 after a brave struggle. She had no regrets in life and this has encouraged me to have a further attempt on the mountain.

This year I will be climbing for The Royal Marsden Hospital where my mother was treated to raise funds for further cancer research.