Local women set to climb world's tallest mountain for charity

19-year-old Siobhan O'Kane from Ballykelly and 20-year-old Stacey King from Greysteel are flying out to Tanzania at the start of June to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro for kiddie charity Childreach International.

The duo began fundraising for the big event last week and are hoping to continue to raise funds for the global charity, which aims to change the lives of impoverished children and their families living in the third world.

The charity work throughout Africa in a bid to improve access to good quality education, health and child service and community networks.

The charity struck a chord with both Siobhan and Stacey who researched a cause for their massive climb over the internet.

Siobhan says: "Between Christmas and New Year we both decided to look more into climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for a cause and came across the work of Childreach International. They are based on working with some of the world's most disadvantaged children and local communities to leave an everlasting effect of their work."

"It's always been something that I wanted to do. We've both been at the gym and planning to do a climb soon to prepare us for the range of terrain that we will face when we get there.

"I am very excited about the actual climb; the only thing I am worrying about at the minute is the altitude thickness, which I hear is tough.

"But now is the time to do it so I am just going to put it to the back of my mind."

"We both know it will be tough but the money will be going to improve the lives of those living in poor conditions and hopefully will have a lasting effect.

The young women will leave to embark on their challenge on June 12, with hopes to see their money put to it's good use by visiting the town of Tanzania and having a look at the charities projects.

"Our target at the moment is to raise 5,000 between us, which will go to improving local communities in which children live.

"We have a few things planned but not 100 per cent confirmed that we will be doing in the borough in the run up to the climb.

"Altogether the trip will take about three weeks.

"We are unsure at the minute just how long the climb will take but we will be getting time to see the work the charity carries out in Tanzania as well as independent time with the communities there."

If you would like to donate to Siobhan and Stacey's generous challenge, you can do so by contacting Siobhan on: 07746516645 or Stacey on: 07731532608