AFTER being told that he was suffering from a hereditary disease that dashed his hope of serving with the RAF, Curtis Pitter reacted in inspirational style.

The 21-year-old was at the third stage of the RAF’s recruitment process when he was given the heartbreaking news that he has polycystic kidney disease, leaving him unable to join up.

Instead of dwelling on his situation Curtis is instead embarking on a fresh challenge – to scale Ben Nevis in aid of Polycystic Kidney Disease Charity.

Curtis’ dad Stephen, who also suffers from the condition, lives a full and healthy life thanks to a kidney donated by wife Tracy. The childhood sweethearts met at Wildern School at the age of 12 and married in 1990.

Doctors told the couple, both 50, that they were a one-in-a-million match and the transplant was declared a success eight years ago.

The hereditary condition causes cysts to develop on the organs and although Curtis doesn’t need a transplant now he may in the future. There is a 50/50 chance that the illness will be passed on to a sufferer’s children and it cannot be detected until the age of 21.

Curtis, a video editor, said: “Because I had passed the tests I was excited about joining the air force, imagining what it was going to be like once I passed.

“It was a massive disappointment.

“But I’m really excited about the trek and I’m doing it with one of my best friends, Jared.

So far Curtis has raised more than £1,600. Colleagues at Douglas Stafford in Portsmouth donated cash during a dress-down Friday and cupcake sale.

Curtis will drive to Scotland in a car donated by Hamble Motors before undertaking the 1,300m climb on Saturday.

Proud mum Tracy said: “He’s being positive-minded about it.

“We are very proud of him.

“We’ve been through donation and there’s no reason why Curtis shouldn’t be fit and well.”

To support Curtis go to www.justgiving.com/curtispitter.