A team of ex-military personnel will be raising money for veterans by attempting to climb Mount Everest via the notoriously dangerous North Ridge.

Eight military veterans - and one non-military friend - have vowed to raise more than £200,000 during the expedition, with the money being donated to the Help for Heroes charity.

The expedition, dubbed Everest for Heroes, is being led by Lincoln-born Damon Blackband, a former British Army Warrant Officer who served for 23 years with the Army Air Corps as a helicopter crewman instructor.

The team is looking for sponsorship and support, either through selling off sections of the mountain at £5 per foot, or by supporting one of the mountain camps that will be required during the attempt.

Mr Blackband explained that the climb would raise vital funds for the rehabilitation and welfare of Britain's armed forces personnel who have been injured in service all over the world.

"We have all climbed throughout the world and travelled to some amazing places with military expeditions," he said.

"But we have never climbed Mount Everest, so this is our ultimate test as climbers.

"We have one mountain to conquer, our injured service personnel have to climb harder mountains every day."

The ascent of the 29,035 foot mountain is scheduled to take place in 2012 and will take in the notoriously difficult North Ridge, on the Tibetan side of Everest.

Mr Blackband said that climbing the mountain would be a fantastic experience - despite the risks.

"Hopefully, we'll negate the risks as much as possible," he said.

For more information, contact Damon Blackband at damon@everest4heroes.com, or call 07768 608914.