EALING Village resident Vicky Avison is preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in celebration of International Women's Day.

Vicky is in a team of ten women from Cox Automotive, which employs more than 2,300 people across the UK, taking on the challenge.

They will set off for Tanzania on February 24, scaling Africa's highest peak over a six-day period, before returning to the UK two days ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.

As they climb to almost 20,000 ft above sea level, the team will face temperatures ranging from 20 degrees during the day to a possible -20 at night.

The climbers are supporting Cox Automotive's charity partner, Wooden Spoon, raising more than £15,000 in sponsorship for disadvantaged and disabled children in the UK.

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Vicky said: "I made a resolution a couple of years ago to say yes to every opportunity that came my way (within reason). The more ridiculous the better."

"It's led to some really positive experiences, so when this, the most ridiculous one of all, came along, how could I say no?

“Actually, I did say no to begin with, because I was completely unfit and this seemed like something only fit people could do."

"Then I realised that was just another reason to say yes. I needed to get fit but had no motivation to do so."