West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is planning to climb Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, this summer in a bid to raise funds and awareness for the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF).
In an exclusive article written for the Portsmouth matchday programme, the 28-year-old described his desire to travel far afield and harness the popularity of football as a means of improving the lives of people living in deprived communities.
"I've never been much of a beach person," he explained. "This summer I thought I would use the break and the ability that football has to touch lives. I will be travelling across Africa to raise funds and awareness for AMREF. The organisation has over 600 people working throughout the continent, attempting to improve the lives of people in some of the harshest and poorest climates in the world.
"One of the highlights of the trip will be the chance to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. It is a three day climb and a two day descent and by all accounts a very physically demanding challenge, even for the fittest of people. If you would like to sponsor me for this, you can find my page on www.justgiving.com/robertgreenkiliclimb. It would be great to receive any amount and the more we raise, the more chance there is of seeing me alive and well for the start of next season!"
Tuesday's programme also featured an exclusive interview with new West Ham United's technical director Gianluca Nani, who talks about his excitement in starting his new role this summer.
"I know the fans are really passionate," he says. "I know that West Ham United has always been a club that plays in the right way - the West Ham way. I've seen the talent coming from this area. You have to push this talent. We have to follow this way and develop the other parts that need developing, bringing in foreign players and young talent from abroad. We have the opportunity to do a good job. We are going to work hard and we will get good results."