THE manager of the Tithe Barn in Abergavenny is preparing to take on the Himalayan mountains next month, to help raise money for “life-transforming” charity, Dogs for the Disabled.

Richard Morgan, 30, who lives in Griffithstown, will begin his 10-day trek in Nepal on March 31 to raise money for the charity which provides assistance dogs to disabled people to help them live more independently.

He chose to support the charity after he saw the way the assistance dogs helped transform lives. He said: "My brother-in-laws’ uncle suffered from Motor Neurone Disease and he was provided with a dog. It literally transformed his life.

“The dogs are trained to carry out all sorts of tasks such as opening doors and even taking clothes out of the washing machine. One lady I know of is waiting to receive a puppy, and as she travels a lot by plane, the puppy is being trained to deal with air travel. The charity transforms people's lives through encouraging and enabling more independence."

Mr Morgan has already raised £3,600 for the trek, but is hoping to reach his target figure of £6,000. He is also an assistant accompanist for the Newport City Male Choir, who have kindly donated £200 towards the target, as well as receiving a £94 donation from Dragon Taxis.

He added: “I have had a lot of support from friends and family with donations, but it would be great if I could get some local businesses on board.”

Mr Morgan has been preparing for the trek by frequently walking in the Brecon Beacons of which he says is his hobby and something he loves to do. He added: “I regularly walk up there, last weekend I walked for about seven hours and watched the sunset.”

To donate please visit www.justgiving.com/treknepal2011