A GROUP of trekkers are hoping to reach the roof of Africa this week in an attempt to raise more than £20,000 for the charity Disability Care Enterprise.

A GROUP of trekkers are hoping to reach the roof of Africa this week in an attempt to raise more than £20,000 for the charity Disability Care Enterprise.

The group flew to Tanzania last Friday to begin their expedition to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.

Among them is the Evening Star's sports reporter Mel Henderson who is a trustee of the charity.

They were expected to reach the summit 5896 metres above sea level at dawn today to watch the sunrise after setting off a midnight.

They were then due to come straight back down, which means their last days trek could last up to 15 hours.

They are due to return home tomorrow.

Organiser, Carolyne Morey, said: "On the last day the weather will change drastically and the group will need to put thermals on over their t-shirts as they reach the summit. It will be so cold their water bottles will freeze.

"I am very proud of them. They have done a lot of hard work fundraising and in preparation for the trek."

The volunteers will be taking the tougher Rongai route which means foregoing the luxury of sleeping in huts to spend the night in tents.

They are a range of ages from a variety of careers including a headteacher, trustees of the charity and company directors.

Each adventurer had to raise £2,700 to qualify for the trek but some exceeded this target.

Mrs Morey added: "This is their chance of a lifetime giving others not so lucky the chance to conquer their own personal mountains."