(Image: Provided)
A North East taxi man is preparing to climb a series of volcanoes in memory of his late uncle.
Wayne Chapman, 44, who owns his own minibus firm in Spennymoor, County Durham, is getting ready to take on the gruelling trek up Ecuador's Avenue of the Volcanoes in December.
The challenge will include the 19,000ft peak of Cotopaxi, in memory of his uncle who sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s in December 2024.
He says people think he is a "bit mad" as he will complete the challenge in the cold winter.
Wayne's late uncle, John Chapman.
(Image: Provided)
Mr Chapman said: "It really got me thinking how I've never done anything for charity."
"I got in touch with Alzheimer's Research UK and decided to dedicate a big trek to my uncle.
"It will be a fully self-funded trip, but it means that every penny I raise will go directly to them."
Wayne has climbed peaks all over the world.
(Image: Provided)
He will leave for Ecuador on December 20, travelling via Madrid before beginning the trek on December 23.
The challenge will see him climb a series of volcanoes along Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes, reaching higher altitudes each day to acclimatise.
If all goes to plan, he will reach the summit of Cotopaxi on New Year’s Day.
Mr Chapman began hiking during the Covid-19 lockdown, and he quickly became part of the hiking community.
He said: "It got addictive, I really got to know the hiking community."
Since then, he has climbed peaks in Tenerife, Madeira, Uganda, and Indonesia.
(Image: Provided)
Earlier this month, he completed an eight-day trek in Peru, which included climbing the famous Machu Picchu Mountain.
He said: "People think it's a bit mad to go to Cotopaxi in winter, but that's actually their climbing season."
The trek will take place during what is typically his busiest season running his minibus taxi business, Chapman Travel, back home in the North East.
Mr Chapman's latest climb in Peru.
(Image: Provided)
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Wayne has set up a Just Giving page dedicated to his uncle John, to raise funds for the charity.
He said: "It will be difficult and the highest I've ever done, but I'm going to give it my best shot."
He expects temperatures at the top to reach as low as minus 15C or colder.
Mr Chapman hopes the trek will raise both funds and awareness for the charity and the families it supports.