A GREAT-grandmother who conquered her fear of heights and scaled Striding Edge to raise money for Nepalese children is to trek into the mountains to meet them.

Lilian Barton, of Kirkby Lonsdale, raised more than £2,500 for Khiraule school pupils after reaching the peak of Hellvelyn via the notorious ridge with the help of a Sherpa.

The 71-year-old will visit her guide’s home village later this month with a team of followers and two readers of The Westmorland Gazette who were inspired by her story.

She said: “It’s going to be a dream trip. I feel very privileged to take part in village life.

“I can’t believe how much that walk over Striding Edge has changed the course of my life.”

Elizabeth Ball, 54, of Barrows Green, near Kendal, has also been inspired by Mrs Barton’s story. The retired Nat West customer service officer has vowed to go to Nepal along with her husband Dave, 54, who is a window cleaner.

She said that she was inspired by the tale of Mrs Barton’s Striding Edge experience in the Gazette. Her husband had left the paper open on the article at their breakfast bar and she read the piece.

She said: “I wanted to sponsor Lilian because I had just received a retirement package from the bank and I wanted to put some of the money to a good cause. I don’t have a head for heights but I had always wanted to go to Nepal.

“When I went to see Lilian and gave her a contribution she said: ‘Why don’t you join me and come and see the school.’”

A group of 16 will fly out to Kathmandu and trek for three weeks, from Phaplu to the isolated village of Khiraule, where they will give waterproof jackets and school equipment for the 92 pupils at the only school within a six-hour radius.

Mrs Barton’s group will be led by Lhakpa Sherpa, of Kirkby Lonsdale, who helped her gain a head for heights last June.

To help sponsor the Khiraule school, call Lilian 015242 73166.