FROZEN food king Malcolm Walker is set to climb Everest.

Mr Walker, founder and chief executive of Deeside based Iceland foods, and his son, Richard, are taking part in a British expedition to climb the world’s highest mountain.

The Walkers’ have set their sights on reaching Everest’s 23,000 foot North Col to raise at least £1million for Alzheimer’s research.

The rest of the expedition, who are all experienced climbers, plan to reach the summit at 29,000 feet.

Mr Walker, 65, decided to take up the challenge after a helicopter trip to the North Pole with adventurer David Hempleman-Adams last year.

He said: “It’s probably the toughest challenge on earth, many people die trying.

“Given my age and experience, and the fact that I’m not suicidal, I don’t rate my chances of reaching the summit. If I did, I’d be the same age as Sir Ranulph Fiennes when he got there, on his third attempt.”

The father and son may not be climbing the summit, but their team members have agreed to plant the Iceland Foods flag at the top of the Everest.

All the expedition’s food has been specially prepared by Iceland supplier Loxtonfoodco, using special cooking techniques to help preserve the food.

The intrepid team left the UK for the Himalayas on Monday and will be away for about eight weeks.

The first million pounds raised by the Walkers will be spent on finding a cure for early onset Alzheimers.

Mr Walker said: “Dementia will soon affect a million people in the UK and almost every family is touched by it, yet research into it attracts only a tiny fraction of the funding provided for cancer or heart disease.”

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Research is the only answer to dementia, but it is desperately underfunded so Iceland’s backing could not be more important.”

To follow the Walkers and the rest of the team’s progress go to www.icelandeverest.org.uk