A Witney woman and her partner are aiming to get to the top of the Andes and help an special school's appeal.

Carol Smith and David Welch

Oxfam worker Carol Smith, 33, has set her sights on climbing Aconcagua, at 6,962 metres the highest mountain in the South American continent.

She leaves just before Christmas and is busy raising sponsorship for Springfield Special School's appeal for a new hydrotherapy pool.

Miss Smith's son, four-year-old Kit, has been a pupil with Springfield since he was two, and is severely disabled.

"He can't walk or sit up by himself, but he loves swimming. It gives him the independence that he cannot have elsewhere in his life," she said.

The hydrotherapy pool, being built at a cost of £250,000 in the new Springfield School building, at Madley Park, is specially designed for swimmers with disabilities. About £90,000 is still needed to cover the cost. Kit lives with his mother at Burwell Meadow, Witney, and gets his swimming sessions at present at the town's Windrush Leisure Centre.

This will be his mother's second trip to the Andes. Last summer, she climbed the range's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi, in Ecuador.

During the expedition, she met fellow climber Dave Welch and romance blossomed. They live together in Witney, and Mr Welch, a 40-year-old roofing firm director, is also helping to raise money by climbing Aconcagua.

"This will be a tougher climb because we are taking a route along a glacier," Miss Smith said.

"Last time, businesses in the area gave great support. I'm hoping we can good sponsorship this time."

To help her and Springfield School, call Carol on 07812 210150.