An entrepreneur who grew tired of corporate conferences and team-building activities has launched a club to bring together like-minded people to take on the world’s toughest challenges.

Starting with an epic seven-day climb to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, which stands at 5,895 metres, the XP Club is dedicated to forging friendships and aiding charities through the concept of the ultimate bucket list.

It is the brainchild of four founders, one of whom is 24-year-old Riky Bains from Dartford, who is the company director.

The former Dartford Grammar School pupil, of Brent Lane, is keen for the journey to the top of what is known as The Roof of Africa to mark the start of an exciting journey of networking and fundraising.

He said: “Last year I decided I wanted to do a series of bucket list challenges.

“It starts with Kilimanjaro and I want to get as many people as I can to come and do it for a charity. To get people from around the world or even local people I don’t know involved, I thought I could set up a company that they are more likely to trust a company than just a random person.

“We want it to be an annual thing and 12 people have signed up for this one. I am hoping that number will increase each time.”

Among those who have signed up are friends and staff at one of Dartford’s major health and fitness clubs, David Lloyd. The trek will take the group through five different ecosystems, starting in a rainforest environment and reaching Arctic conditions at the peak. Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world and getting to the top will take six hours of climbing a day.

As well as providing a physical and mental challenge for the climbers, the immense effort will also raise money for the Born Free Foundation.

Mr Bains said: “The Born Free Foundation helps with local wildlife conservation in Tanzania and Kenya and also in schools. It’s a big charity for us to be working with and someone from there will be coming with us on the climb.

“We are hoping to make it charitable each time we do one of these challenges, but in a different location each year.”

Donations are being accepted online at thexpclub.com ahead of the climb’s start date of Saturday, February 10. The website also has details of how to join.