Some would admire the scenery when climbing Mount Everest - but a Burford resident will just be looking for a rainbow. 

Mark Ackred, 41, is taking part in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge in April and his preparations ramped up last weekend with a wet and wild weekend climbing Ben Nevis. 

The entrepreneur is driven to help the charity that works with disabled and disadvantaged kids in the UK and Ireland by the loss of nephew Toti Worboys, 11, to leukaemia. 

So when he climbs to 6,500m to play the highest-ever game of rugby at Tibetan Advanced Base Camp in a matter of months, Ackred will be motivated by Toti's memory.

"I've done some long-distance kayaking in aid of charity but I felt it was time to literally up the ante so that's why I'm heading to Everest," he said.

"Toti's brother George plays for Bath - he's gone from strength to strength and every time he scores a try he makes a T sign for his brother.

"The motivation to do it in his memory is massive. Everytime we see a double rainbow, that's a good memory of him.

"He used to absolutely love rainbows so I'm hoping to see a couple on Everest.

"It will be incredible to carry him on the journey with me. It's sad he's not here but nice to do something in his memory and for other people with the same condition."

Since the turn of the year preparations have taken on a new intensity after the group were subjected to rigorous altitude chamber training in Southampton earlier this month. 

The matches will bid to break the record set by the Steve Prescott Foundation at 5,752 metres up Kilimanjaro in 2015.

Each of the 30 challengers has been set a funding target of £10,000, to be used by Wooden Spoon to help young people with disabilities and facing disadvantage in the UK and Ireland.

Teams will be captained by a clutch of rugby stars including Shane Williams, Wales' leading try-scorer, England Women legend Tamara Taylor and 60-cap Test hooker Lee Mears. 

Mears was joined by fellow team captain Ollie Phillips, former IRB Sevens World Player of the Year, in the Ben Nevis mountain range for a weekend of Burns night celebrations and snow climbing skills. 

Ackred was delighted to reunite with the 26-strong group in the Grampians, but investing in a new pair of hiking boots has become a necessity.

"Ben Nevis is certainly being thrown in at the deep end," he said.

"I've bought some new boots, they seemed OK but it was pretty wet and miserable in Scotland. 

"It was the last weekend we'll all be together and it's really important to get the camaraderie together.

"Going up Ben Nevis with ice picks and crampons, it's important to make sure you know you feel in the conditions and also to bond with the group.

"It's going to be an amazing experience but it's also going to be really tough. We're going to need to dig deep and know you've got your mates round you."

Support us in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge to help change the lives of children and young people with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland - visit everestrugby.org.uk  #everestrugby