A BURNESIDE woman is to climb Africa's highest mountain to raise £6,000 for a South Lakeland mental health charity.

Alison Faulconbridge flew out to Tanzania last week before embarking on an arduous eight-day trek up the 4,900-metre hight Mount Kilimanjaro.

She will be taking the Lemosho route, which approaches from the west then skirts south round the peak, before summiting on Monday (Feb 27).

Alison will begin summit day at 1am in temperatures as low as -20degrees, with wind chill, in an environment with 50% less oxygen than that at sea level.

The trip is completely self-funded by Alison, with all monies raised going directly to Growing Well, a Sizergh-based mental health charity, which uses horticulture to promote mental wellbeing. She is an administrator of the charity and is passionate about raising awareness of mental health and working to combat stigma.

“My mental health took a bit of a beating when my house flooded back in 2009," she said. "At the time, it was the opportunities that I had to be in the outdoors that helped me; walking and biking were both invaluable.

"I now work for an awesome charity which gives people the opportunity to gain from both the outdoor environment and being part of a supportive community by growing organic vegetables in South Cumbria.”

Alison has been writing a blog all about her training. To read about the ups and downs of training for the journey of a lifetime, visit www.growingwell.co.uk

To support Alison, visit: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/alisonskiliadventure