The most daunting charity challenge of recent times – a two month endurance test on the tiny North Atlantic speck of Rockall – is to be sponsored by DM Hall, one of Scotland?۪s largest independent firms of Chartered Surveyors.

The Scotland-wide firm is supporting its Edinburgh-based residential surveyor Nicholas Hancock, from Ratho, Midlothian, who is planning to spend an astonishing 60 days on the storm-lashed rock, which measures just 25 metres wide and 22 metres long.

Only four people have ever spent more than a few hours on Rockall since the first recorded landing in 1811. To put this in perspective, approximately 2000 people have stood on the summit of Everest since 1953 and 12 have landed on the moon since 1969.

The 38-year-old property specialist, who joined DM Hall in August last year, is aiming to set two new records on Rockall, which is described as “desolate, despairing and awful” – the longest occupation in history; and the longest ever solo occupation. His aim is to raise £10,000 for the military charity Help for Heroes.

Allan Scott, partner in DM Hall Edinburgh, said: “Nick is taking on a very tough assignment, which will test his physical and mental limits, in aid of a very worthy cause and DM Hall is delighted to be able to offer both financial and moral support.”

Nick’s challenge will begin at the end of next month (May), when he will have a two-month weather window on the tiny island which, lying 186 miles west of St Kilda, is exposed to the full fury of the north Atlantic’s storms.