AN intrepid student from Outwood is preparing herself for the daunting challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Nicola End will be embarking on a six-day trek up the world’s tallest free-standing mountain in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

The 18-year-old is currently studying politics, philosophy and economics at the University of Warwick and will join around 40 of her fellow students on the journey to Tanzania in September.

Nicola, of Oakley Close, said: “When I first came onto campus there were loads of different opportunities open to me, but this one really stood out.

“It was just a little leaflet that I picked up in the kitchen and it just struck me as something that was totally different to anything else that was on offer.

“It’s a huge personal challenge, both mentally and physically, but I have given myself a lot of time to prepare and to raise as much money as I can for MRF.

“Training is a really exhausting process and because I’m so busy I don’t have time in my day to do the kind of long, slow training that you need."

The former Manchester High School for Girls pupil is training every day to prepare for the gruelling ascent, fitting in as much gym work as she can around her university studies.

She has already raised more than £2,000 – more than halfway towards her target – on an online donations page, and through other fundraising activities such as selling cakes and packets of boozy gummy bears around campus.

Nicola added: “The symptoms of meningitis are so slight that it can be difficult to see it coming before it's too late to act.

“What strikes me about this disease is the young age of its victims.

“Bacterial meningitis is most common amongst children under five years of age, particularly babies under the age of one."

She added: “I am healthy enough to be able to take on physical challenges such as these, whilst others are less fortunate to have the choice. If I can help combat meningitis, many more people will have the same opportunities that I do.”

To donate: visit www.justgiving.com/nicolaend/ and follow Nicola’s progress on Twitter @hike2015