Wild women are wanted to take part in the adventure of a lifetime.

Louise Cooper

The challenge of trekking in the Andes, raising money to help young women in the region and working in a Venezuelan orphanage has been set by Oxford-based charity, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA).

The Wild Women event will see an all-female group of adventurers visit Venezuela in October to trek to the hill town of Merida, where the orphanage is based.

Louise Cooper, 39, of Green Ridges, Headington took part last year. She said: "The trekking was a real challenge, as we were at altitude, but knowing I was part of a group of determined women raising funds for the YWCA made every step worthwhile."

The charity aims to raise at least £30,000 from this year's event.

For details, call Anna Riddick on 01865 304217 or e-mail her.