INTREPID adventurer and teacher Steve Hill is set to return to Africa soon to undertake a number of charity projects ahead of his participation in the Uganda Marathon - for the second time - on June 1.

Backed by his Year 6 class at Shaw's St Joseph's RC Primary School deputy head Steve is aiming to keep up the momentum of fundraising efforts which have so far realised more than £90,000 for numerous charities.

Steve said: "As always I will be funding the trip myself and with the full support of the children at school we’ll be raising money for the Jomain Midland Academy which provides education to the remote community of Bwendero on the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria – along with the other charities we’re supporting Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Milly’s Smiles, Chernobyl Children’s Life Line and our fantastic school PTA."

Steve and the children are also collecting trainers, sports kits, pens, pencils and other stationery to take for the children of Masaka.

"Friends, family and parents from the school have again been fantastic, all offering to sponsor me while my brilliant and enthusiastic Year 6 class are always a massive source of support and encouragement."

Steve has set up a just giving page for his efforts which can be found at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Steve-Hill07.

His previous exploits have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, trekking through the Sahara Desert, climbing Mount Elbrus, trekking through the Arctic and through the Jungles of Borneo, climbing Mount Kinabalu, trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp and then completing the Tenzing Hillary Mount Everest Marathon, completing the North Pole Marathon, the Petra Desert Marathon, completing the Amazon Jungle Ultra Marathon, the Arctic Ice Ultra Marathon and climbing Mount Toubkal.

Meanwhile, Steve has again accompanied Prince Edward in presenting Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards to a host of outstanding young people from across the north at St James Palace.

Steve who acts as an ambassador for the awards scheme told The Oldham Times: "It was a huge honour, to be invited once again and to fly the flag for Oldham. It's a great scheme, building amazing skills and character for the participants."

As well as presenting the awards, Steve also gave a talk to 125 young people at the event.

We’re also collecting trainers, sports kits, pens, pencils and other stationary to take for the children in Masaka.

Friends, family and parents from school have again been fantastic all offering to sponsor me whilst my brilliant and enthusiastic Year 6 class are always a massive source of support and encouragement.