A PAIR of life-long friends will be scaling a Welsh mountain in complete darkness, to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.

Abi Veitch, from Cirencester, and her friend Sophie O'Toole, who used to live in the town, will be tackling Mount Snowdon this May, with the aim to raise £800 for the Alzheimer's Society.

The women, both aged 34, have been friends since they were just five months old. Abi's Grandad suffers from dementia and Sophie's mother has Alzheimer's.

"Sophie was going to go it last year but she fell pregnant so we decided to leave it until this year," said Abi. "It's an organised event. We've been sent a kit list and a training schedule. I'm quite scared as I don't feel very fit. It's exciting though."

The ascent will take five to seven hours and will be done in complete darkness. The duo hope to reach the top in time to see the sunrise. It will then take them two to three hours to walk back down.

"I've started going on Sunday walks and the gym sessions start next week," added Abi. "This charity is very important to me and Sophie. We did a Memory Walk for them in Winchester last year."

Sophie said it was heartbreaking to see her mum, who is only in her fifties, going through Alzheimers.

"The Alzheimer's Society has been a great help to me and my Mama with providing the connect to the club which she used to go to at the beginning of her illness, which was a great support," she said.

"Abi and I took part in the memory walk in September and needed a new challenge to raise money so why not Snowden in the dark!"

Abi and Sophie, who lives in Eastleigh near Southampton, hope to raise a total of £800 with their charity mission. They have already secured £185.

Visit justgiving.com/Abi-Veitch to donate.