A schoolboy is hoping to carry on his grandfather's work building links between east London and a Sherpa village in Nepal.

George Morant, 13, will be travelling to the High Himalayan village of Barpak with his grandfather Mickey Gordon MBE in October.

Mr Gordon, a former teacher, has been helping support the people of the community and taking young people on education trips there since villagers cared for him in the 1980s.

He injured his leg during the making of a Channel 4 film Thin Air White Water and was taken to the Barpak.

During his stay he became fascinated by the people and their way of life and found a deep respect for them. This led to his first expedition with people from East London to Nepal in 1988.

The pupils reported that they were ‘transformed by the experience’. There have been trips with young people from east London every year since, in which youngsters have the chance to experience life in Barpak, help the villagers and develop life skills.

The trip can be a tough challenge – but Mickey believes the physical hardship and mental and emotional challenges can help young people develop life skills.

Mr Gordon said: “I always tell them, if you can do this trip, you can do anything.”

Mr Gordon was made an MBE for services to education and young people in 2016, and now his grandson George, who attends Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green, will be making the trip in October.

Mr Gordon said: “I will be retiring from the project soon, and it’s George's dream to carry on his grandfather’s legacy.

“He’s absolutely excited. It’s something he has always wanted to do.”

George has been working hard to raise funds for the journey, including a cake sale at a local primary school and at a church hall. So far he has raised £400.

On June 15 he will be holding a family fundraising quiz night at St Teresa’s Hall in Station Road, Chingford to raise money, where people can meet George and talk to him about his upcoming adventure.

He will host a slide show and then the quiz, starting at 7.30pm.