A FORMER Penarth schoolboy has set his sights on climbing Mount Everest before embarking on a career in the Royal Marines.

James Di Angelo, who attended Sixth Form at Westbourne School, is set to climb the world’s highest mountain in March next year.

He has been training for the epic challenge by climbing up Pen y Fan and Snowdonia, south Wales and Wales’ highest peaks respectively, and running up Sugar Loaf Mountain in Monmouthshire.

As well as taking part in Crossfit and training twice a day, 22-year-old Jamie has also set himself a number of challenges to reach peak fitness in the New Year.

In February he is set to take part in a Ben Nevis challenge, climbing the three highest peaks in the mountain range, and a 24-hour endurance race up the mountains in Scotland.

Before embarking on his Mount Everest challenge, which will take 19 days and reach a peak of more than 8000metres, Jamie is hoping to raise more than £4,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

He is starting his fundraising by holding a fete at Westbourne School on Thursday, October 23.

During the fete, which starts at 4pm, there will be a talk from one of the school’s parents that serves in the RAF, as well as a question and answer session from soldiers that have served in Afghanistan.

A number of local businesses have also donated raffle prizes and will be holding stalls on the day.

There will also be a presentation about the work of Help for Heroes, with the money raised from merchandise on sale going towards the charity.

Jamie said that after graduating from Bristol University, where he studied economics and business, he wanted to take a year out before joining up with the Royal Marines in September next year.

“I thought Everest was something that I could train properly and prepare for,” he said.

“I chose to raise money for Help for Heroes as I have got military connection and it’s close to people’s hearts.”

He added that he had always wanted a military career and had been drawn to the Royal Marines because it was “elite” and he felt “a strong sense of duty and that you should serve your country”.

James can be sponsored at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesDiAngelo

If you are a local business and would like to sponsor him contact James on JamesAngelo@me.com