A group of friends are set to take on the gruelling task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in sub-zero temperatures to help raise money for charity.

From January 29th to February 3rd next year, Chris Hele, 29, from Thorpe Market, his partner Sam Hicks and their friends Sally Ling and Marc Wilford, 22, a student from West Runton, will be climbing the 19,340ft mountain, the highest in Africa, to raise money for Big C, Norfolk and Waveney's local cancer charity.

The friends will be trekking for more than 10 hours a day with the summit climb leaving at midnight in sub zero temperatures.

The group have self-funded the trip which means 100pc of the sponsorship money will go to the cancer charity.

Mrs Ling, 44, from Southrepps, who works as a sports therapist, said: 'Sam decided she wanted to do the trek to mark her 40th birthday, and after seeing the celebrities climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief last year.

'Our target is to raise �5,000, and we have been getting some practice in, going to the gym and taking some very long walks. Sam has been swimming as well.'

Ms Hicks, 38, from Thorpe Market who runs a caravan park, who in the past has taken on the three peaks challenge, which involves climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, in under 24 hours, said: 'Most of the challenge is going to be the mental part of it, it is going to be a case of mind over matter.

Her partner Chris, who works in IT, added: 'A lot of people give up before they get to the top, at what is called Stella Point, about an hour-and-a-half from the summit, but we are determined to go all the way.'

As part of the fundraising efforts they are holding a November Fayre in Southrepps Village Hall on Wednesday between 10am and 1pm.

The fayre is an 'at home' style gathering with lots of the big names attending – Boden at home, Jamie Oliver at home, Bodyshop, Phoenix cards, Chocolates for Chocoholics, Cromer Books, Lee Patterson Golf, Sarah's Bespoke Jewellery and much more including refreshments.

The four climbers will also be getting in some practice, using a stepper machine to climb the same distance of the mountain.

All of the companies have agreed to donate a minimum of 10pc of their sale proceeds to the charity.

To sponsor the group visit www.justgiving.com and enter any of their names to get their donation page.