Heroes of Fundraising: David Tait

David Tait embodies everything you would expect from a fundraising hero: spirit, tenacity and a desire to test the limits. He is preparing to climb Mount Everest for the fifth time to raise funds for the NSPCC - this time without the use of oxygen.

In preparation for the climb, he is heading to the Himalayas to establish a new route on Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. The mission to Everest itself will take place late in the season when conditions are at their warmest.

An investment banker by day, David is just as accomplished as a mountaineer. He was the first person in the world to successfully complete the north-south traverse of Everest and appeared twice on the Discovery Channel's TV series 'Everest: Beyond the Limit'.

David is without doubt one of the NSPCC's most prolific fundraisers. He has raised over £500,000 from his previous climbs and is aiming for a target of £1,000,000 for the 2011 mission. He is also supporting Childs i, a Ugandan charity dedicated to rescuing abandoned babies.

Much of his success in fundraising is down to the collective generosity of individuals - and it's his remarkable resilience and determination that inspires his supporters to give whatever they can.

As a child, David was sexually abused. His resolve to make a difference comes from knowing that, had he received help at an earlier age, he would not have suffered as much. He is absolutely determined to make the future better for children.

You can find out more about the 2011 mission and support David at www.davidtait.com.