A HADDINGTON doctor is getting ready to link up with his brothers to conquer Africa’s highest mountain for charity.

Dr Simon Bagley will be joined by siblings David and Jon next month as they head to Tanzania to raise money for the Medic 1 Trust by climbing Kilimanjaro.

The GP said: “David is 50 this year. He is having a mid-life crisis and co-opted myself and Jon, who lives in Dubai, to do it with him.

“He has been up Kilimanjaro in his 20s and his 30s and his birthday is on October 11, so he is aiming to be up there in his 40s as well.” After agreeing to join his older brother, who lives in the USA, in climbing the 5,895m peak, Simon decided to do it for a worthy cause.

The Medic 1 flying squad vehicle was launched in 1980 and features a team of medical and nursing specialists who deliver pre-hospital care in the Lothian and Borders.

The team can be requested by any of the emergency services, or by a medical practitioner, and is usually an emergency department consultant and middle grade doctor as well as one or two experienced emergency department nurses.

The Medic 1 Charitable Trust was established 18 years later and provides financial support to local emergency department staff who want to undertake research, audit or professional development related to the promotion of education and clinical excellence.

Now, the 47-year-old has started training ahead of the trek, expected to take six days.

He said: “I’m ashamed to say, and I’m full of regret and embarrassment, that I just cannot find the time to exercise.

“Having said that, we have had a great summer and everybody has come back motivated.” Simon, from The Maltings, was looking forward to returning to Africa for the first time in 20 years.

He added: “I’m fairly green at this, I have to say.

“I’m sure I will be fine though – if Chris Moyles can do it, then I can do it! We’re trying to be sensible about the training.” Already, Simon, who has worked at Cromwell Harbour Medical Practice in Dunbar for the last nine years, has raised £200. Posters have been put up in the medical centre in a bid to see that figure increased further and there is also a Justgiving page online.

To make a donation, visit the centre or go to www.edinburghemergencymedicine.com/medic1-about