A Northwood mum is climbing mount Kilimanjaro for charity, after trekking across the Sahara and walking the length of the Great Wall of China.

Bharti Shah's son Rikkin, 22, has congenital muscular dystrophy, and she is taking part in the charity challenge to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

The first to sign up for the Kilimanjaro climb, Mrs Shah has already completed two gruelling endeavours for the charity – in the Sahara desert and along the Great Wall of China.

She said: “Trekking through the Sahara was one of the most amazing things I have done in my life.

“It was really tough - we all endured agony, but I wouldn’t have even considered giving up for a moment.

“I would definitely encourage anyone considering the Kilimanjaro challenge to get involved.

"This year I will be back for round three.”

After paying a registration fee of £350, climbers are asked to raise at least £3,650 in sponsorship.

The money will help pay for research into treatments for muscular dystrophy and related conditions, to improve the lives of the 70,000 children and adults affected in the UK.

Julia Selby, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign events co-ordinator said: “Climbing Kilimanjaro will be an unforgettable experience.

“This is a challenging trek at altitude, and our climbers will need to be prepared to train hard to establish a good level of fitness.

“For many people living with muscular dystrophy, extreme physical challenges are an unavoidable fact of life.”

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Kilimanjaro trek will take place between 20 October and 30 October 2012.