Teletext

TV Plus, TV Spotlight - 19th September 2001

Holby duo yomping for youngsters

by TV Plus reporters

Holby City favourites Clive Mantle and George Irving are to walk to Everest base camp in November to raise money for orphans around the world.

Clive, 44, who recently quit as Dr Mike Barratt and George, 48, who is surgeon Anton Meyer, are ready to climb to 18,500 feet in aid of the charity Hope And Homes For Children.

George said: "Hopefully we will make some money for these extraordinary kids."

He says he is determined to make as much money as possible.

"The charity Hope And Homes For Children was set up by Colonel Mark Cook, head of UN forces in Croatia," Irving explained..

"He decided to do it after he found an orphanage destroyed there and frightened kids were hiding in the cellars."

The actor hopes the three-week trek will give parentless youngsters a new chance in life.

"The charity now runs orphanages in 14 countries in Europe and Africa," he said.

"The aim is to give this generation of kids who have been traumatised by wars in places such as Croatia and Rwanda a chance to rebuild their lives."

So Irving is getting into shape for the trip by walking three-and-a-half miles a day near his home in East London.

He said: "I am quite fit and have walked in Snowdonia but it depends how you react to the thin air in the Himalyas. Some people have to be brought down in oxygen tents.

"I am really looking forward to it as I want to see the peak of the mountain which is visible 1,000 feet above base camp."