A DETERMINED father who lost his only son to leukaemia is trekking in Nepal to raise money for research into the disease.

Tony Caldwell's son Simon was diagnosed at age three, and died two years later.

From the moment Mr Caldwell learnt of his son's diagnosis, he began raising money in a bid to help find a cure for leukaemia.

On his latest expedition he will visit the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Mustang, which was only opened to outsiders in 1992.

"I've been raising money for 20 years and have raised more than half-a-million pounds for Leukaemia Research," said the 63-year-old.

"I'm now trying something more unusual by going to the forbidden city of Mustang in Nepal.

"My aim is to give talks about my travels when I come back as this is my main source of charity fund-raising."

Mr Caldwell, whose son died in 1979, will be heading for Manthang in Mustang where there are only 150 houses behind the 33ft high city walls.

"There's a palace there where the emperor lives which is guarded by ferocious Tibetan mastiff dogs," said Mr Caldwell.

After completing his trek he will spend time with a family of Tibetan refugees and learn more about their way of life.

Mr Caldwell, from St Patrick's Close, Evesham, has also raised money through coffee mornings and sponsored walks.

He has two daughters, Vanessa, 30, and Joanna, 25, and has said that he is keeping himself fit in preparation for this trip by playing badminton.

Mr Caldwell is due to travel to his destination on Saturday and will stay there for a month.

"I've done talks with my photos at Women's Institutes, Roundtables and Rotaries to raise money," he added.

"The last time I was in Nepal was in 1996."

"I'm very excited about my trip."

Anyone wishing to help Mr Caldwell with his trip should contact 01386 423012.