A FORMER chartered surveyor who climbed the Himalayas, conquered the South Pole and raced in a hot air balloon to raise £40,000 is shortlisted for a national award.

Robert Wilson, 67, from East Hanney, has been named as one of three national finalists in The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award.

The nomination recognises his fundraising for Headway Oxfordshire – a charity which supports people affected by brain injury.

Mr Wilson discovered the charity in 1991 when his friend and colleague at Adkin surveyors in Oxford, Chris Field, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a road accident. As he learned the impact brain injuries have on families, he decided to become a Headway committee member.

The father-of-two has now raised more than £40,000 through sponsored “extreme” expeditions. His first challenge, at the age of 50, saw the non-runner complete the London Marathon.

His fundraising took on an international twist when he struck up a friendship with world-renowned polar explorer David Hempleman-Adams.

Together they began to tackle expeditions to Baffin Island near Greenland and Svalbard between Norway and the North Pole.

This introduction to extreme adventures equipped him with survival techniques and encouraged him to attempt “high-trekking” in Nepal, where he scaled a 6,500m peak.

In 2012, Mr Wilson joined another expedition led by David Hempleman-Adams to Tibet with a goal of climbing the North Col ridge adjoining Mount Everest.

The team reached the foot of the Col at 6,450m but were thwarted by bad weather.

Mr Wilson went on to fulfil his bigger dream of skiing 100 miles to the South Pole from the latitude where Ernest Shackleton was forced to turn back by the weather.

Mr Wilson, who is now a local treasurer for the charity, said: “Fundraising for Headway has become a core part of my life.

“ I am honoured and overwhelmed that my expeditions have led to me being shortlisted for a national award.”

He has cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats, Mizen to Malin Head in Ireland and coast-to-coast through the Pyrenees.

Earlier this year he tackled the alpine classic Geneva to Nice cycle, waving the Headway flag on the way.

Between expeditions Mr Wilson often hosts charity lunches at the home he shares with his wife and gives brain injury presentations at local schools.

His most terrifying challenge came when he had to play the Dame in Headway Oxfordshire’s annual pantomime.

Mr Wilson was nominated by Jamie Miller, chief executive at Headway Oxfordshire, who said: “Bob’s efforts and determination to raise funds to help people living with the effects of brain injury never cease to amaze us all.”

The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award will be presented in a ceremony in The Dorchester Hotel, London, on December 11.