A DARING dad from Taunton has set himself the gruelling challenge of climbing Brit-ain’s highest mountain later this month.

Richard Anderson will be tackling the 4435ft ascent to the summit of Ben Nevis on Saturday, August 30, to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation after his son, Connor, contracted meningitis as a baby.

Richard said: “Connor was seven months old when he became ill.

“My wife noticed a white discharge from his ear and took him to the doctor’s.

“Whilst in the waiting room, she read Meningitis Research Foundation’s ‘Baby Watch’ awareness poster.

“The doctor checked him all over and gave him antibiotics for an ear infection, which he wouldn’t keep down.

“Having read the awareness poster that morning my wife recognised the symptoms and immediately rushed Connor to A&E, where it was eventually established that he had pneumococcal meningitis.

“Without the awareness poster, it is likely that we would have been unaware of his true condition.”

Although people of all ages can catch meningitis, babies and young children under five years old are particularly susceptible to the infection which can damage the brain and nervous system.

Christopher Head, chief executive at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “We rely on voluntary donations to fund our vital work so every penny he raises by climbing Ben Nevis will make a huge difference to the charity.”

To sponsor Richard, click on https://www.justgiving.com/ RGA