A financial adviser from Solihull will be among a group of 26 people from wealth management company St James’s Place taking part in an expedition to Everest next spring.

Andrew Whiting will be part of an expedition which is aiming to raise £500,000 for the St James’s Place Foundation, one of the most successful company charities in the UK.

The team will fly to Kathmandu in Nepal next April to trek over 120 miles of gruelling terrain to Everest base camp at a height of 17,500 feet and will aim to climb Kala Patthar at 18,500 feet.

The team leader Roger Owen, a senior management consultant with St James’s Place, and Kenton Cool, one of Britain’s leading mountain climbers, will then go on to complete the ascent of the mountain.

Andrew has previously taken part in Ten Tors walks, Pennine Way and Coast to Coast treks and triathlons.

He said: “I put myself forward in order to push my trekking experience to the ultimate level.”

The expedition team are spending a number of training and familiarisation sessions in the Alps and the Lake District before flying to Nepal next spring.

All 26 underwent a rigorous interview and selection process to ensure they would have a good chance of reaching base Camp and returning safely.

David Bellamy, chief executive of St James’s Place commented: “We are all immensely proud of the foundation and this formidable challenge epitomises the importance of the foundation to the entire St James’s Place community.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Whiting can do so at www.justgiving.com/andrew-whiting0.