DAD Simon Spencer is set to climb 17 mountains in memory of his baby daughter.

Ben Lawers and Ben More in Scotland are the latest two peaks he has conquered in his personal mission.

He is doing it in memory of his daughter Isabel Amy, who was stillborn on March 26, 2008.

She was one of the 17 babies delivered stillborn, or who die just after birth, each day in the UK.

Like most stillbirths, no official cause of death was ever found for Isabel.

Simon, 36, and his wife Nicola, from Nailsworth, now have a three-month-old daughter Emilia.

His challenge is part of the Why 17 campaign launched by the Stillbirth and Neo-Natal Death Society (Sands) for research into the causes of stillbirth and neonatal death.

"I wanted to do something in memory of my beautiful baby girl Isabel and to help Sands with all the good work they do supporting bereaved parents," Simon said.

"It never crossed my mind that we could lose Isabel and nothing prepares you for the heartache that this brings. No one ever mentions that stillbirth is a possibility yet it is surprisingly common and is an uncomfortable, even taboo subject for many."

The 17 mountains are all in the Scottish Highlands and Simon plans to climb them in a series of trips this summer, covering a total distance of 68,000ft – equal to twice the height of Mount Everest.

He has already climbed seven.

Nicola, 34, said her pregnancy with Isabel and all her scans had been normal. At 37 weeks, she woke up one morning and knew something was wrong.

"I went to Stroud Maternity Hospital and they couldn't find a heartbeat," she said.

Nicola was induced and Isabel was born at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

When Nicola became pregnant again it was both a joyful and anxious time. Daughter Emilia arrived safe and sound earlier this year.

Simon has already raised £1,200 and hopes to reach £1,700. To sponsor him log on to his website at www.justgiving.com/17mountains.

The Gloucestershire branch of Sands meets on the first Tuesday of every month at St Andrew's Church Rooms, Station Road, Churchdown, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. For more information about the charity, visit www.uk-sands.org.