SEVEN friends of a York man who died from bone cancer are preparing to trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money in memory of him.

Guy Francis, of Wheldrake, was diagnosed with cancer in 1998 and after a five-year battle he died peacefully at home with his family and friends around him. He was 23.

Now his friends are attempting to climb 20,000ft to the top of Africa's highest peak to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The trust is an amalgamation of small cancer charities, including a trust named after Guy. The trust is currently funding five different research projects.

The team, who have spent months in preparation for the marathon climb, will leave for Tanzania in five days' time.

Andrew Fletcher, of Crockey Hill, York, one of the climbers and a lifelong friend of Guy, said: "There is not long to go now before our climb and I must admit I am getting a bit nervous.

"I have spent eight months in training but there are things you cann't prepare for, like altitude sickness, which is making me and the rest of the team a bit nervous. But we are going to try our best to get to the top.

"We have been buying all the special equipment that we need such as waterproofs, thermals, sleeping bags and special water bottles that prevent water from freezing with the temperatures. It all feels a bit real now."

Mr Fletcher said Guy was a fighter throughout his five-year battle against cancer.

"Guy was so strong and such an inspiration to everyone," he said.

"He was extremely grateful for all that the medical teams had done for him, giving him the chance to enjoy an extra five years of life.

"He felt it was essential there should be research into bone cancer and started fundraising himself. All his family and close friends promised him this would be continued in his name - the Guy Francis Bone Cancer Research Fund. This climb will hopefully boost funds for the trust."

Andrew, along with his brothers Richard Fletcher, Michael Fletcher and friends Lindsey Agar, Corrine White, Steven Justice and Matthew Doughtey, all of York, have paid for the trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, so all the proceeds will go to the charity. The team has raised £2,000 so far and hopes to raise about £3,000 in total.

You can sponsor Andrew and his friends by logging on to www.justgiving.com/guyfrancis