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They say life begins at 50 and one energetic Norfolk couple aims to prove the point this year by climbing 50 mountain peaks across the UK to raise thousands of pounds for a charity to carry out 50 life-changing operations.

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Keith and Nicky Morris, who live in Wreningham, both turn 50 this year and will be climbing the peaks over a 50-week period to raise money for former Norfolk doctors Craig and Rae Oranmore-Brown to perform operations including eye surgery and limb amputations on rural Zambians who would not normally be able to receive the treatment.

All the peaks will be at least 1,000ft high and many much higher, including Scafell Pike, Snowdon, the Brecon Beacons, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Shropshire Hills and Cotswolds.

Mr Morris, a corporate communications manager for media group Archant, parent company of the EDP, said: “It is quite a life-changing time for us. Our two children have recently left home to go to university and we wanted to mark the birthday milestone in an unusual but worthwhile way.

“We are determined to rise to the challenge and hope our family, friends, colleagues and others will want to support a very worthy cause. We will also be inviting our family and friends to join us in climbing a peak or two.”

Mrs Morris, a doctor in south Norfolk, said: “Keith came up with this crazy idea and in a weak moment I agreed to go along with it. But seriously, the work that Mercy Flyers do is really great and will help focus my mind during the more difficult moments.”

Three years ago, the doctors gave up hospital consultant jobs in Norwich to launch the Mercy 
Flyers flying doctors service in Zambia to carry out operations including replacement prosthetic limbs and fistulae operations for incontinence after childbirth which would simply not be avilable to rural Zambians.

A £30 donation pay for a life-changing cataract operation, or £85 for a replacement limb. Even £2 
would pay for one nautical mile of a medical flight.

They met the fundraising duo, who began the challenge on New Year’s day by climbing three Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, through the Norwich Vineyard church.

“In total, we reckon if we complete the challenge we will have each climbed the height of Everest – twice,” said Keith.

To sponsor them visit www.bmycharity.com/50peaks. Find out more about Mercy Flyers at www.mercyflyers.org. Visit Keith’s blog at 50peaks.wordpress.com.