A man hopes to create a world record by climbing up Britain’s highest mountain for a children’s charity with his seven-month-old dog.

Alan Fagan, from Milton Regis, aims to raise £1,000 as he takes on Ben Nevis, in the Scottish Highlands, with Storm, a Staffordshire bull terrier.

After struggling with bipolar disorder, which led to him losing his steel business, the 31-year-old decided to do something to help others.

“I lost my family, house and business, I was homeless for a year and had to live in a B&B, but I bounced back,” he said.

Alan, of Regis Crescent, remains out of work after struggling with mental illness, but is excited about the record attempt.

The father-of-three said: “I was watching Billy Elliot when I thought ‘I want to do a charity event to help people’, and then I thought ‘I’ll do it with my dog!’"

Having moved from Liverpool to Kent seven years ago for work, he has lived in the area for about six months.

With two sons here, and another in his home city, helping children with cancer is a cause that resonates with him.

“I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” he said.

“We are not doing enough to help children; no child in the world should be suffering and definitely not in our own country.”

Joining the man and dog team will be Mr Fagan’s partner Shelby Mercer, from Snodland.

Mr Fagan and Storm are training hard for the climb, on September 24, by taking long walks and plan a trip to Snowdonia.

Guinness World Records has confirmed there is no record for the youngest dog to climb a mountain. The event will raise money for Children with Cancer UK.

To support them visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TeamStorm or text DOGG73 plus your donation to 70070.