AN adventurous art student has accepted the challenge of an African adventure to raise funds for some of Britain's most vulnerable children and young people.

Sarah Oates, 24, from Crook, is joining The Children's Society's ten-day trek up Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, next June.

The former Parkside School and Durham Sixth Form College student aims to raise about £3,000 for the charity, mainly through corporate sponsorship.

She has studied art at Leeds University and has returned to the North to complete her studies in Newcastle.

Miss Oates said: "I've always wanted to go travelling, and trekking offers me just what I want to do with the added bonus of being able to raise money for disadvantaged kids.

"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and the personal challenge the trek offers. "The breathtaking scenery is going to be incredible, and the satisfaction of completing the climb will be overwhelming.

"I'm training hard for the trek and I think it is absolutely fantastic that I have an opportunity to do something like this."

At 5,895 metres, Kilimanjaro, in Kenya, is one of the world's largest extinct volcanoes.

The trek needs no technical climbing ability and there are still places left.

Volunteers pay a registration fee of £250 and make a commitment to raise at least £2,950. Call 0845 3001128 for details.