East Midlands Airport security officer to scale Aconcagua peak

Michael McCorkindale hopes to eventually climb Mount Everest

An airport security officer is preparing to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.

East Midlands Airport's Michael McCorkindale will embark on a 20-day trek to reach the summit in January, scaling a total of 6,960m (22,834ft).

The 36-year-old is already training for the challenge and will climb three Pennine peaks on Wednesday.

He will set out to climb the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.

The challenges here and abroad will raise money for The Children's Society, Magic Breakfast and Medcare.

Mr McCorkindale, of Anstey in Leicestershire, works at East Midlands Airport and is known as the site's "resident action man".

He previously served as a private in the Army's Royal Anglian Regiment and has already completed a number of daring tasks, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and completing the National Three Peaks Challenge.

'Never give up'

His upcoming climbs will support the three children's charities, causes close to his heart.

Mr McCorkindale said: "I had a rocky start in life, with an illness that meant I was often in hospital and on my own, until the illness was controlled when I was 16.

"Once I could live a normal life, I wanted to do everything. I decided to focus on fitness which led me to joining the Army, which gave me the confidence, discipline and sense of adventure that I needed in my life."

His adventures have taken him across the world and he wants to inspire children facing difficulties.

He added: "I didn't have the hand on my shoulder telling me everything will be OK, but now I can be that hand for others.

"I want children to know they are not alone and to never give up, and I want to help those who have less."