Six women have set themselves the challenge of a lifetime - to climb Africa's highest mountain.

The ladies, aged between 29 and mid-50s, have been following a strenuous training programme to prepare them for the 4,600 metre climb of the world's highest free-standing mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. They also have another target, raising sponsorship for their individual chosen charities.

For sales director Michelle Stephens, from Deddington, next month's climb will fulfil a dream. She was born in Malawi and both her parents were brought up in Africa.

"Climbing Kilimanjaro is a dream, but also a challenge - and I am always one for a challenge!" she said. "I didn't know many of the girls before we started training, but we get on fantastically well and have really gelled - so we all know each other's strengths and weaknesses."

Ms Stephens' climb will raise money for the Oxfordshire charity Against Breast Cancer (ABC) which is doing groundbreaking work into the effect diet and lifestyle have on survival from breast cancer.

Friends and family have already pledged £415 in sponsorship and Ms Stephens said: "ABC are proactive in their research, and building awareness of breast cancer is important to all women of all ages."

Her fellow climbers are mother and daughter Els and Suzy Deeley, from Souldern, Monica Harper, from Tusmore, Jose Golding, from Evenley, Northants, and Laura Holden, from Buckingham.

Ms Harper, who is raising money for the African educational and community development charity Tusk Trust, was also born in Africa, within sight of Kilimanjaro.

She said: "If I don't attempt to climb Kilimanjaro soon, I will be far too old to try to get to her snowy top!"

Ms Golding is raising funds for London's Royal Marsden Hospital. Her husband received treatment there for a brain tumour.

"Thanks to them, I had him for a further precious five years," she said.

Ms Holden is raising money for two charities - Cancer Research and the Cynthia Spencer hospice, Northampton, Suzy Deeley is doing the climb in aid of Tusk Trust and Cancer Research, and Els Deeley is doing it in aid of Katharine House hospice, Adderbury.

The team of six will start the four-day climb on September 29.

"The final day will involve 18 hours of climbing to the peak, and then the descent," said Ms Stephens.

"We are all very determined to make it, but it is at such a high altitude that it can affect breathing and cause nausea and fatigue. We are all fairly fit, so we are really going for it!"

If you would like to sponsor any of the climbers, contact Michelle Stephens by e-mailing mitchmichmoo@yahoo.co.uk