THE Scottish Star of BBC’s Dragons Den will attempt to climb Africa’s highest mountain tomorrow for charity.
Duncan Bannatyne, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 19,340 feet above sea level, with a team of thirty people, including with one of his daughters, British beauty queen Haylay Mac and several soldiers.
Four amputee serviceman will also make the journey, to help raise money for injured serviceman.
They hope to set a world record of getting the amputees to the top of the Tanzanian peak in the shortest time possible – five-and-a-half days.
Duncan tweeted his progress to his 500,000 followers earlier today, saying: “Our party has arrived in Kilimanjaro & we will all start the climb for @thepilgrimbandits tomorrow, wish us all luck.”
Earlier this week he joked that daughter, who is also undertaking the challenge, may have to help him make it to the summit. He said: “My daughter says I will get to top of Kili even if she has to push me. #realfamily”
Earlier in the week the 63-year-old health club owner tweeted his trip’s progress, saying “First leg of journey over. Just landed Amsterdam.” And “In Nairobi Airport ready to fly to Kilimanjaro”
Kilimanjaro lies 205 miles South of the equator and stands on Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya.
Around 15,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year, and previous celebrity to make it to the top include Cheryl Cole, Fearne Cotton, Gary Barlow and BBC Radio DJ, Chris Moyles.
The father-of-six re-tweeted a message from his daughter, Abi Bannatyne, who wished her father and sister good luck on their trip.
She said: “Wishing my dad @duncanbannatyne & my wee sis the best of luck as they set off 2day on a journey that will take them 2 the top of kilimanjaro.”
Yesterday, Duncan tweeted that he had been preparing for the change in climate with the use of a special altitude machine, adding, “Kilimanjaro here I come.”
Duncan is raising money for the pilgrim bandits, who organised the challenge.
