A UNIVERSITY student from Cuddington has taken on a massive challenge to raise money and awareness for two charities.

Charlotte Ives,18, of Grange Road, will be embarking on an 11-day trek up to the base camp of Mount Everest.

The psychology student, studying at University of York, spoke to the Guardian about the challenge and the charities she is doing it for.

She said: “I’m an outdoors person, I love climbing and hiking, but this challenge is significantly harder than anything I’ve done before but it combines everything that I’m used to.

“It’s going to challenge my knowledge and experience which I find really appealing. Being able to help charities while doing something like this is a really good experience for me.”

Charlotte is extremely excited about the excursion and she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received.

She said: “The support has been fantastic and from a lot of people who I didn’t know were aware I was doing all this.”

The 11-day trek is in support of Action Against Hunger and Charlotte is a big supporter of that charity.

She said: “Action Against Hunger is an amazing charity, they not only provide life-saving food it’s also clean water and healthcare as well.

“They’re never in the public eye so not only do I want to contribute I also want to raise awareness for the phenomenal work they do.”

To help reach her substantial fundraising target of £2,000 and to raise awareness for Age UK Cheshire, Charlotte is hosting a craft fair at Castle Community Centre on March 17.

She said: “They really helped my grandparents a lot and so many people really do depend on the activities they run at Castle Community Centre.

“I volunteered there when I was doing my gold Duke of Edinburgh award and I was involved with the activities they did, especially with the dementia group.

“You really don’t realise how dependent people are on these activities until you start speaking to them.”

Charlotte has plenty to keep her busy at the moment with fundraising and preparations for the excursion up Mount Everest, but she still finds time to not let her busy schedule affect her degree.

She said: “It’s quite tricky, especially when you’re organising events on the scale we’re intending and with me being in York most of the time now.

“It does work if you put your mind to it, you can do it if your organised and plan your time well.”