SISTERS Karen McAllister and Gwen Brennand are doing it for themselves as they get into training for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro later this year.

Karen, 43, is manager of Sportlife health and fitness centre in James Square, Accrington, and Gwen, 44, owns a designer clothes shop in Whalley.

They will train together in an effort to raise £3,000 for the charity Whizz Kids, which provides wheelchairs and equipment for children with mobility problems.

They have already raised just over £400 but need more sponsorship and backing for them to reach their target, before the climb between September 20 and 29 this year.

Karen, who lives in Byron Terrace, Blackburn, said: "I am 43 now and I thought it was time I did something, and this is for a really good cause. The money will go to local children, or in the region wherever possible, so it is really good.

"This is the biggest thing I have ever undertaken, and although I have done charity things, this is the first time we have done something like this together. We will be supporting each other."

As a gym manager, Karen is already fit, but has started weigh training every day. She was already doing the four to five hours of aerobic workout every week that is needed to get into peak condition for the climb.

The pair will also have to try hill walking to prepare themselves for the altitude of Kilimanjaro, later this year.

Karen said: "There is nothing you can really do to prepare yourself for the altitude. It is 9,500 ft and it doesn't matter how fit you are, you don't know how it is going to affect you every day

"Hopefully, if you follow all the rules and rest if you're tired and drink plenty of water, you should be all right."

She added: "When I think of this, I think it's a small thing compared with what the children Whizz Kids help have to cope with every day."

Sportlife have already pledged some money for the climb, but Karen and fellow Sportlife staff will also be out trying a six hour bike ride inside Asda in Accrington this Saturday and Sunday, to raise funds between 10am and 4pm each day. They will be taking it in turns to ride the exercise bikes and will be on hand to collect any donations.

Sponsor Karen should contact Sportlife on 01254 391999.