Tammy and Steve Gillian, who run Grove Veterinary Hospital in New Mills and High Peak Veterinary Practice in Buxton, set off on September 3 for their trek up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for WSPA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

The pair will spend six days on the trek, reaching the summit on the fifth morning and finishing at the end of the sixth day.

They will then spend two days with the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Ziwani Anti poaching team, a project supported by WSPA.

The project includes a mobile wildlife veterinary unit and anti-poaching team to remove snares set up to catch wild animals for meat, a serious threat to the wildlife of Lewa National Park.

Tammy said: "We're a bit nervous.

"The main reason people don't make it to the summit is if they get altitude sickness but we are doing some training in the next couple of weeks to get used to the height."

The couple have done some climbing in the past, having climbed Mount Kenya five years ago but it is the first time they are taking on such a challenge for charity.

To sponsor Tammy and Steve, you can donate online at www.bmycharity.com/tamandsteve, send a cheque to either practice made payable to WSPA or visit either practice in person to pledge a donation.

Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the highest mountain on the African continent at 5896m.