Tough talk from climbing hero

Conquering Mount Everest - he was the youngest to do so at the age of 23 - wasn't nearly as daunting for Edward "Bear" Grylls as talking about his feat later to 400 sixth-form girls.

He admits to being "petrified" by every sea of expectant faces at his motivational talks to students and businesses, but will brave it again on Sunday evening at the Duke of York's Theatre in aid of the 150th Birthday Appeal of The Royal Marsden Hospital Fund.

His Everest triumph in 1998 was spawned by an earlier near-tragedy when he was serving in an Army infantry regiment. He broke his back when his parachute failed to open during a training exercise in Africa, and says that the despair of the eight months he spent in hospital not knowing if he would ever walk again, let alone climb, gave him the incentive.

He was introduced to climbing by his father, the late Michael Grylls, a Surrey Tory MP for 26 years, and said he was very happy to support the world-renowned cancer hospital as his father did before him.

"He was a great inspiration to me. As an eight-year-old near our home on the Isle of Wight, he gave me a huge picture of Everest and took me climbing for the first time.

"The evening at the Duke of York's will be me talking about the Everest experience, the good and the bad. Perhaps hearing of my adventures may help some people deal with some of their problems - and of course raise some money for the appeal."

Grylls described climbing Everest as his passion, but he wouldn't like to go back. "I did want to take my father to base camp but our trip had to be cancelled," he said. "I wouldn't like to be away from my wife and family and I'd miss my houseboat on the Thames."

Sunday's talk, at the Duke of York's Theatre in St Martin's Lane includes a champagne reception and a signed copy of Edward Gryll's book, Facing Up. Tickets, priced £50 and £35 from the box office on 0207 369 1792.