A Barnoldswick couple are pulling their socks up in preparation for the hike of lifetime as they attempt to scale Africa’s highest mountain.
Gemma Bassett (24) and partner Aaron Ashworth (26). of Rylstone Drive, Barnoldswick, travel to Tanzania in September for a six day trek on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The couple are raising money for the Principle Trust, the charitable wing of Skipton company Principle Healthcare.
Gemma works for the Skipton-based company which aims to provide a holiday retreat for children and their families, who are disadvantaged socially, physically, emotionally or as a result of extreme poverty.
Aaron has the “Razor” barber shop in Albert Road, Barnoldswick.
In training for the expedition to the mountain, known as the “Roof of Africa”, the pair have scaled Pendle Hill twice in 90 minutes, have walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks and extensively trailed the Lake District, with England’s highest peak Scafell Pike climbed on the latest visit.
Gemma said: “I think we both feel very positive about it, the training has been going well.
“It’s a huge challenge we are facing, but we are really excited about it. The altitude is the thing worrying us the most.
“With it being such a local charity the trust felt right. It’s a great cause, but not a lot of people have heard of it so we want to raise some awareness of it too.”
The pair have set up a donation page online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GemmaBassett