PROLIFIC fundraiser and teacher Steve Hill has launched his own charitable trust to administer the thousands of pounds he raises for good causes.

The deputy head of St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Shaw has raised more than £90,000 for numerous charities over the last 10 years, and the committed marathon runner and mountaineer is promising no let-up.

And although the 47-year-old will continue to raise cash for international charities, which include a dormitory for a school in Uganda where children have been attacked walking to school, he is also pledging the trust will focus on Oldham good causes.

“I have friends and colleagues, who have been a massive help to the fund raising I have done,” said Steve. “it’s a team effort and it’s great to have other people on board supporting what I do, as well as the wonderful backing I have from my Year 6 pupils.”

The Team Hill Charitable Trust is now set to embark on a series of events, starting on October 11 at a black-tie Charity Gala and Post Dinner at St Anne’s Rugby Club, in Higginshaw Lane, Oldham, featuring “singing pilot” Stuart Beech.

“Creating the trust was the next step, really,” continued Steve. “I have no intention of stopping my charity work. There are so many worthy causes that need help, from local litter picking to foodbanks.

“But there has to be an international element also. The last school I visited in Uganda needs £6,000 to build a dormitory. It was there that an eight-year-old girl walking to school was raped. How can you not support a cause like that?”

Four friends of Steve’s have become trustees of his trust. They are: Diana Heywood, her husband Dave Heywood, Brian Hurst, who has raised funds for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and his wife Laurie Hurst.

Past challenges have seen Steve climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc, trek through the Sahara Desert, climbing Mount Elbrus, trek through the Arctic and through the jungles of Borneo, climb Mount Kinabalu, trek to Mount Everest Base Camp and then complete the Tenzing Hillary Mount Everest Marathon. He's also completed the North Pole Marathon, the Petra Desert Marathon, the Uganda Marathon, the Amazon Jungle Ultra Marathon and the Arctic Ice Ultra Marathon.

His last trip to take part in the marathon round the Ugandan villages of Masaka raised £5,000 alone.

Tickets for the October event are available from Diana on 07753 570690.

Steve is also promising more events like “An Evening With….” and afternoon teas further down the line.