Not many of us get to see out our childhood dreams but one Wapping man’s vow as a six-year-old to climb Everest is about to become a reality.

Aptly-named Stewart Edge, 32, is an experienced mountaineer having climbed Mont Blanc and South America’s highest peak Cerro Aconcagua, but in 12 weeks’ time he is planning to be atop the highest point on earth.

Luckily for him, he is able to fit in some practice by scaling the steps at work – 1,128 of them to be precise.

The construction manager has been working on the City’s tallest building, Heron Tower in Liverpool Street, and can climb the stairs in 25 minutes with a 20 kilo weight on his back.

He has also been cycling every day and training in intense army bootcamps.

But nothing can completely prepare him for the task ahead.

He said: “I’ve always been into the outdoors. I’m not really a city person but I make sure I get away a lot.

“This has always been a dream. When I was six I got an atlas and told my parents I’d climb Everest one day. I don’t think they took it very seriously at the time.”

Setting off to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu in a fortnight, Mr Edge will then travel to basecamp and spend 10 weeks acclimatising to the conditions.

It will then take five days to scale Everest and two to come down.

He is climbing the mountain with four others, none of whom he has met yet.

The East Ender, who lives on a houseboat with his long-term girlfriend, is aiming to raise �29,029 – Everest’s height in feet - for children’s charity Starlight.

The charity grants wishes for terminally ill children and provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK.

Mr Edge said: “I’ve been very lucky to travel all over the world and see out my dreams.

“Not all children are that lucky so I wanted to raise money for a charity that was going to make a difference for them.”

Go to intrepid-edge.com to read Mr Edge’s blog and make a donation.