A grandfather will celebrate his 70th birthday by climbing the highest peak in southeast Asia to raise money for the Peace Hospice Care.

Rasseed Goolamhossen, of Abbots Langley, will travel to Borneo in October this year to conquer Mount Kinabalu and contribute to the £5 million the hospice needs every year to provide for those with life-limiting illnesses.

Whilst trekking mountains may not sound like the typical activity for a 70 year old, this is not Mr Goolamhossen’s first ascent.

The retired nurse conquered Mount Everest Base Camp in 2003, Ben Nevis in 1990, the three highest peaks in the Atlas Mountains in 2010, including Mount Toubkal in Morocco. He funds every climb with his own money and every penny he raises goes to charity.

Over the years Mr Goolamhossen has raised over £2,500 for Cancer Research, Watford Intensive Care Unit and for orphans in Palestine.

Mr Goolamhossen said: “This November I will be celebrating my 70th birthday and I needed a cause and a challenge to celebrate, so I decided to take up the challenge to trek Mount Kinabalu.”

The mountain is situated in Kinabalu park with an altitude of 4,095 metres. He has spent six months in training for the challenge. At the moment he is going to the gym four to five times a week, swimming once a week and walking every day.

The fitness enthusiast lives in Abbots Langley with his wife, Mary, 69. He has spent most of his life caring for those in the community as a nurse for several hospitals including Leavesden Hospital, Harperbury, Shrodells psychiatric unit and National Society for Epilepsy before his retirement.

He was also a nurse at Leavesden Hospital, said: “He was known as a fitness freak when he was at the hospital. He set up a gym for the patients to use, we had rowing machines and all sorts. He loved encouraging people to keep fit.”

Mr Goolamhossen’s climb will take place on 21 October and he aims to raise a minimum of £1,000 for the Peace Hospice Care. To donate, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rasseedgoolamhossen1