TWO Nailsea women are putting on their walking boots for a trip to the Himalayas in aid of Help the Aged and the Alzheimer's Society.

Pam Blower and Sue Crook are self funding their challenge so that all sponsorship and donations will go directly to the charities, which are close to their hearts.

As well as raising much needed funds, Pam and Sue also want to show that age need not stop people pursuing new goals.

Pam joked: "We both qualified for the free bus pass but couldn't find a service which ran to Dharamsala." The April 2010 trek will be Pam's third and the second her and Sue have done together.

She said: "If someone had told me that I'd be climbing mountains at my age, I'd have thought they were pulling my leg, but here we are and hopefully we can inspire others to do the same."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Sue can do so through Nailsea book shop and anyone interested in finding out more information about lunches which Pam will be hosting on the first Tuesday of each month should email pamblower@hotmail.co.uk.