TWO jail workers are embarking on the challenge of a lifetime to help prisoners beat drug addiction.

Jemma Hough and Nicola Allen, from Bicester, are gearing up to climb Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain.

The pair work with prisoners who have addiction problems at Bullingdon Prison - and met on a Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust (Rapt) training programme.

They said they have seen first hand how Rapt helps people recover from the destructive effects of addiction - and are keen to build up as much support from family, friends and local businesses as possible, to help them raise money and awareness for the trust.

The duo need to raise £6,000 before they can climb the 15,000ft high mountain in Tanzania. They have both paid for their own travel and trek expenses and all other money raised will go straight to the trust.

Ms Hough, 23, said: "It certainly won't be a holiday, but it should be a really rewarding experience.

"We have to follow an intense training programme to improve our fitness and prepare for the trek.

"Kilimanjaro is known to be a gruelling trek - but that makes it all the more exciting.

"That said, we are dreading the altitude sickness."

The two women embark on their 10-day trek in October.

Ms Allen, 27, said: "We will be running and walking daily until we leave. In addition to our fitness programme we are embarking on an ambitious fundraising plan.

"We are appealing for sponsorship from our community and businesses to help us meet our target."

Rapt provides treatment for men and women in the criminal justice system who have drug misuse or addiction problems.

Ms Allen and Ms Hough provide a variety of treatments and offer advice and counselling to prisoners with addictions.

To sponsor them, visit justgiving.com/jemmyjamjam