A DEVOTED husband will be on top of the world when he tackles Mount Everest in memory of his wife.

Lawrence Gemmell, from Port Glasgow, is all set to climb to the dizzying heights of the base camp in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.

He is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the charity who helped care for his late wife Carolann, who died from breast cancer four years ago.

Brave Lawrence is no stranger to reaching new heights - he conquered Mount Kilimanjaro on the first anniversary of Carolann's death and raised £8,000.

Lawrence, who is making the climb with his friend and former workmate Robert Mitchell, said: "We are hoping to raise as much money as we can for a cause close to my heart.

"I have wanted to do this for a long time.

"We loved the challenge of Mount Kilimanjaro, the altitude is the biggest problem you face.

"The trek to the Everest base camp is the same but it will be more scenic with lots to see like Buddhist temples along the way."

Ferguson Marine worker Lawrence and his family were left devastated when mum-of-two Carolann died at the age of 55 after battling cancer for 15 months.

Together with Robert, who now works with Babcock at Faslane, he is hoping to raise as much money as possible to help other families who need the hospice.

Mount Everest base camp is one of the most famous landmarks on Earth, as the last point before mountaineers make the last push for the summit.

Lawrence, 59, from Marloch Avenue, added: "I think it will be great to be there because that is where the mountaineers wait to see if the weather will change before they go on."

The pair will ascend almost 18,000 ft during the 12-day trek to the camp.

Dad-of-two Robert, 36, from Port Glasgow, said: "We have been hill walking for years now and this is going to be a challenge, but we are both looking foward to it."

To sponsor Lawrence and Robert visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lawrence-gemmell2