A YOUNG couple are going to follow in the footsteps of Comic Relief celebrities and climb Mount Kilkimanjaro for charity.

Oxford Brookes University students Ruben Cunniappen, from Wallingford, and Purdey Morgan, from Headington, are to scale the world’s tallest free-standing mountain in October to raise money for the Nasio Trust, an Abingdon charity which helps orphans with HIV in Africa.

Last month, stars including Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole and Chris Moyles reached the summit in Tanzania for Comic Relief.

Miss Morgan and Mr Cunniappen, both 20, will be part of a 12-strong group going up the 5,895m (19,340ft) mountain.

The party is being led by Jonathan Hunt, from Southmoor, near Abingdon.

Miss Morgan said: “I’m scared of the treadmill at the gym, let alone the biggest free-standing mountain in the world.

“The training is going well, but I think we have both got a long way to go.

“Ruben’s a lot fitter than me, so I’ll be relying on him to help me reach the top – either by inspirational talks or by dragging me up.

“All our friends and families have been so supportive.

“They’ve been amazing helping us put together local events and gigs to raise funding but we’re not quite there yet.

“Even a few pounds will make a huge difference and mean the Nasio Trust can continue their invaluable work supporting the orphans of Kenya who have lost everything.”

Mr Cunniappen said: “We’ve committed to raise at least £5,000 to help build a second purpose-built day-care centre for the children cared for by the charity.

“These kids have either lost their parents to HIV and Aids or are destitute.

Miss Morgan added: “The Nasio Trust have done so much to care for children who have nothing, and it’s in our power to lend them a helping hand.”

The couple hope to raise £8,000 in total.

To sponsor them, go to justgiving.com/ruben-purdey-climbkili To learn more about the Nasio Trust and its work in Africa, see thenasiotrust.org