A GREAT Missenden man will be pulling on his skis next week to raise money for a charity that helped his older brother.

Clark Betz is taking to the frozen wastelands of central Sweden in a 90km cross country ski race while fundraising for the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

The 27-year-old sports sales executive is collecting for the charity after his brother Christian was diagnosed with the condition in 2004.

An early diagnosis meant Christian's live was saved – and now Clark is raising awareness of the disease while competing in the race, which starts on Friday March 5.

He will be joined by three friends – Richard Duncan, 28, and 36-year-olds Henrik Thorell and Nick Keynes.

Mr Betz said: “The determination that my brother showed throughout his ordeal was truly inspiring. To see someone that you love go through something so intense at such a young age was soul destroying.

“Luckily for Christian his mouth cancer was caught early but many sufferers are not so lucky. This is why I wanted to do something that would not only raise awareness of mouth cancer but also raise money for an incredibly worthwhile charity.

“The Mouth Cancer Foundation offers mouth cancer suffers and their families vital help and support throughout the hard times and we wanted to be able to give them something back”.

To sponsor the team, go to www.justgiving.com/vasaloppetcrosscountryskirace.