A WOMAN is following in the footsteps of celebrities by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in aid of charity.

Sarah Swailes, 26, of Smarts Lane, Loughton is taking up the challenge to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The PR Manager will begin the climb in June this year, scaling the 15,100ft peak in just six days.

With a target amount of £3,500, Ms Swailes's sponsor money will go towards providing free nursing care to cancer patients.

Having already raised a staggering £380,000 by taking part in other fundraising events, she hopes to add to that figure this year.

She said: "I am really excited about this challenge. Having completed three peaks for Marie Curie last year I felt compelled to set my sights on a bigger challenge this year.

"Marie Curie is an incredibly worthwhile charity and I am training hard to make sure that I am ready for Kilimanjaro, and able to raise as much money as possible."

Ms Swailes's training progress can be followed on Twitter and you can sponsor her online by visiting justgiving.com/sarahswailes