AN adventurous retired lawyer from Worcester and his son are setting off on the trail of Genghis Khan's birthplace in a 6,000-mile fund-raising trip - for a £10,000 reward.

Kevin Poole and his son Richard, aged 19, aim to raise thousands of pounds in sponsorship through their journey to Mongolia. They aim to help children, including families who need support from Acorns Children's Hospice.

Acorns - which has a hospice in Bath Road, Worcester - supports about 600 life-limited children and their families, but has had to close beds because of funding difficulties.

After retiring as head of corporate tax at Wragge and Co in Birming-ham, Kevin, aged 47, of Lower Broadheath, decided to combine adventure with fund-raising by undertaking the overland Land Rover expedition.

He said: "I had an urge to visit the `real' Mongolia's huge mountain ranges and massive lakes. The traditional nomadic lifestyle exerts a strong pull on the imagination. We're doing it for the adventure. But we are also hoping to raise funds while we do it for two very worthwhile children's charities who really need the help - one in the UK (Acorns), and one in Mongolia (the Christina Noble Children's Foundation), which helps street children.

"We were horrified to hear that because of lack of funding, Acorns Children's Hospice has had to close 40 per cent of its beds in Birmingham, Walsall, and Worcester.

"We aim to raise £10,000 - all of it going to the charity chosen by donors."

Significant donations will, if required, be acknowledged on a major donors page on Kevin's website www.mongoltrail.co.uk.

Money will go in full to the charity concerned. See the site's fundraising pages for details of how to help.