An airfield employee is set to raise £2,000 for emergency services with a charity trek of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ben Usher, operations officer at North Weald Airfield in Meridian Way, will climb the 16,000ft peak in Tanzania, Africa, later this month in hopes of raising much-needed funds for Herts Air Ambulance.

Mr Usher, who has already raised £1,500 towards his target, received a £50 donation from Chairman of Epping Forest District Council Councillor Liz Webster yesterday (September 3).

He said: “Supporting the Herts Air Ambulance was an easy choice for me.

“They are based at North Weald and I see daily how busy they are, carrying out life-saving work for the critically ill or injured people in the community.

“This important service relies solely on donations from the public.

“I’d like to thank Chairman Liz Webster and everyone else who has kindly donated to my JustGiving page.

“Any donation big or small is greatly appreciated and it all goes a long way towards me reaching my goal, and ultimately saving lives.”

You can follow Mr Usher’s progress or donate to his cause, here.