A senior figure at Nottinghamshire's team sponsor John Pye Auctions is making his final preparations before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Trent Bridge Community Trust.

Sheldon Miller, John Pye's Business Development Director (pictured above right with his brother Lucas), will ascend the world's largest free-standing mountain next month with the Trust's Forget Me Notts programme a beneficiary of his fundraising.

The Trust's initiative helps those who are living with dementia by using sport as a catalyst for them to share their memories, and also provides a safe environment for them to continue to follow their sporting passions and stay physically active.

Sheldon admits this is a cause very close to his heart.

"I had two grandparents who suffered from dementia in their later years, and it can be very tough to watch someone you love dealing with such challenges," he said.

"The work the Trust are doing is fantastic, so we hope we can raise some money to benefit local people who are living with the condition.

“I want to do it in honour of my grandparents, and without having those motivating factors, it would certainly be a much more difficult challenge.

"I'm sure they will be at the forefront of my mind as I get close to the top, which can only spur me on."

The trip will be a family affair for Sheldon, who will be accompanied by his brother and his father as they take on the landmark - and whose grandfather was responsible for igniting his lifelong love of cricket.

"My grandad was always at Trent Bridge, and used to tell me about coming to the ground to see Larwood and Voce running in," he said.

"It's such an iconic venue, in an iconic sporting area, and it's great that they use their position to help people in the local community.

"This challenge was initially our father’s idea - he turns 70 this year and asked us completely out of the blue if we fancied trekking Mount Kilimanjaro with him.

"If he can take it on at his age, then there's really no excuse for us! 

"We'll have to make sure we keep hold of our sense of humour, particularly on the final ascent in the cold with low oxygen levels, but I think it will be a really good bonding exercise for us all."

While Sheldon is doing everything he can to prepare for his endeavour, he is fully aware that the assault on the Tanzanian peak will be tougher than anything he has faced before.

"I do try to keep myself fit, but I'm more of a 'weekend warrior' - I spend Monday to Friday at my desk, then run around playing football on the weekend," he said.

"I know this will be a much tougher challenge than anything I've taken on before - it's a physical challenge, a mental challenge and the altitude will be tough to deal with.

"I'll be putting in a bit of training in the Alps, and I've been trekking in the Peak District, but there'll be nothing that will fully prepare you for doing the real thing.

"I know it's not going to be a walk in the park, but I'm sure it'll be a fantastic experience."

You can make your donation in support of Sheldon Miller, Lucas Miller and the Trent Bridge Community Trust here