A NATIONAL children's charity in Langport is encouraging people to sign up to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and help raise vital funds for its cause.

The challenge will be taking place in February 2016 in aid of bibic, which helps children and young people with conditions affecting their social, communication and learning abilities.

Mark Flower, Corporate and Community fundraising officer for bibic, said: “We are giving adventurers the ultimate challenge to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and help raise money for us.

“The challenge will take place during seven days and people who sign up must be over 18-years-old.

“Trekkers will walk along the beautiful Machame route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the South through forests all the way up to the mighty snow-capped summit at 5,895 metres for simply breath-taking views.”

There are two pricing options for people wanting to take part in the trek.

Option A includes a non-refundable registration fee of £299 plus a minimum sponsorship amount of £4,000.

Option B is self-funded.

People will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee of £299 and will then need to pay the challenge balance no later than eight weeks prior to departure.

There is no minimum sponsorship target but people are encouraged to raise as much as possible.

Included in the price is return flights from London to Kilimanjaro International airport, airport taxes and fuel surcharge, all accommodation, transfers, tents and other camping equipment, thin sleeping mats, all meals and celebratory dinner, porters, cooks, food, water and other supplies, permits and National Park fees, English speaking guides, Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK and a full, comprehensive first aid kit.

Mark added: “We really hope lots of people sign up to take part in this. “The trek has been designed to be challenging but achievable as long as people train beforehand.

Training tips can be found at globaladventurechallenges.com and a number of training weekends will take place in the run up to the climb.”

Once registered participants will be supplied with a list of kit they will need as well as a fundraising pack in order to make fundraising as easy as possible.

Anyone interested in the challenge should call Mark on 01458-253344 or email mark.flower@bibic.org.uk.