A fundraiser is taking on Africa's highest mountain is an effort to help poverty-stricken families.

Two intrepid adventurers will attempt to conquer the inhospitable slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro this July in a bid to raise £3,000 for charity.

Emma Southey, from Sutton, and Jonny Southcombe, from Taunton, are taking on the daring seven day expedition to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

The hike up the 5895m mountain is in aid of Village Africa, a charity working to alleviate poverty in Tanzania, East Africa.

Miss Southey has seen the effects of extreme poverty at first hand after living in the remote village of Yamba in the West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania for a year.

After working as the volunteer coordinator for Village Africa, the 24 year old said: "Village Africa receives no government funding and relies entirely on voluntary support so climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is our small way of helping to raise essential funds for those in need."

Before the charity got involved in the area in 2006, pregnant women were having to be taken on a stretcher and on a two day walk to hospital. Villagers have no mains electricity or piped water and they experience frequent crop failures caused by drought.

Most villagers have no cash income and rely on the crops they grow.

The couple said: "Our aim is to reach Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa, and we hope to raise as much money as possible towards our target to help Village Africa continue it's outstanding work in Tanzania."

You can help them reach their total by visiting www.mycharitypage.com/villageafricakiliclimb.

If you would like to donate to Village Africa or would like more information about volunteering with the charity, please visit www.villageafrica.org.uk.