A WOMAN is getting ready to scale all 5,895 metres of Mount Kilimanjaro this Friday and has already raised thousands of pounds for Alzheimers research.

Possum Doyle, from Middle Duntisbourne, is leaving to embark on her seven day trek this Friday. She will be scaling the mountain in Tanzania with six other people and admits she is feeling a little nervous.

"I sort of decided to do it when I turned 50 this year," said Possum. "Both my mother and my father-in-law suffer from Alzheimers."

Possum, who works at the Organic Farm Shop near Cirencester, has already raised £3,000 for charity Alzheimer's Research UK despite starting her challenge with a target of £2,000. She now hopes to reach a target of £4,000.

"I've never done anything like this before. I haven't done much climbing but I've been rowing, swimming and cycling," she added. "I've been doing three to fours hours of training a day."

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/possumdoyle to donate to Possum's challenge.