And climbing the three highest peaks in England seemed like a fitting task.

Mr Mitchell, 39, will be joined by his friends Richard Hayes, 36, Ian Hancock, 38 and Mark Pollard, 39, to climb Scafell - 978m, Ben Nevis - 1344m and Snowdon - 1085m during the weekend of June 21 and 22.

The team will raise funds for Macmillan cancer care and for Kenilworth charity Side by Side theatre.

Mr Mitchell said: “It is a challenge, we all enjoy staying fit and need a focus for our efforts. It has long been my intention to do a fundraiser for Macmillan cancer care.

“Both of my parents died of cancer and received wonderful care so it is nice to do something to acknowledge that.”

He added: “We want to measure ourselves against the biggest challenge and see what training we would need to do after it. The real test of our resolve and equipment. I’m really looking forward to it.

“I fully expect it to be a big challenge but lots of people do it and enjoy it. It’s nice to think we could raise a lot of money in the process.

“That would be a big benefit for our efforts.”

The team will be transported to each location by their own drivers Keith Hancock and Rod Wilkinson.

The driving alone covers more than 500 miles in around 11 hours, not to mention the 500 miles and eight hours of driving to Ben Nevis to get to the start.

Fellow team member Ian Hancock said: “We climbed Scafell Pike at the weekend. This was a huge test of will and fitness as the conditions were nothing short of atrocious.

“Still, we managed to get up and down in a time of three hours 25 minutes, a climb of 978 meters in just under two hours and a quick decent.

“The team are now in great spirits and driven on to ‘get a little fitter’ in the coming months.

“We now realise that to climb three of these mountains in 24 hours really is some challenge.

“This iss an especially triumphant adventure and test for myself as five years ago I dislocated my knee by 10cm, snapping every ligament.

“And after spending four months in bed, paralysed from the left knee down, was advised I would probably never walk properly again – and definitely not be able to do things like this.

“After following the post surgery instruction to the letter at Warwick Hospital Physiotherapy Unit, I have now recovered to near full strength and movement – with partial feeling returning. So thanks to Warwick Hospital and their expertise.”

Team sponsors include Miromedia Ltd, who have sponsored the clothing, Cyrus-RW Group who have provided the fuel, Jaguar Cars who have sorted the provision of transport and Syncreon Technology who have given funding to enable them take part in the challenge.

To donate towards the challenge visit http://www.justgiving.com/challenge3peaks2008.