A group of young people are reaching for the sky by climbing one of the world's highest mountains in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Cancer Research Appeal.

They are taking part in the To The Roof Of Africa challenge, which has been organised by Bradford Council's Youth Service and is being supported by other local organisations and businesses.

The 15-strong group aged between 17 and 20-years-old have already raised the £40,000 needed for the trip and are now collecting sponsorship for the climb to boost the Bradford Can...Appeal.

On February 8 the group, along with five youth workers, will fly out to Tanzania for their three-week visit.

While there, they will do 100 hours voluntary work in a school and an animal sanctuary to acclimatise to the altitude before attempting the climb.

They hope to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro around February 20.

Senior youth worker Nazaket Ali said the project was a nine-month personal development scheme, culminating in the climb. The group, who come from throughout the city, have prepared by going on four residential courses.

They also climbed Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak, in October and have been preparing physically by training at the gym.

Mr Ali said the young people were also working towards accredited qualifications, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Millennium Volunteers scheme.

Other courses have seen them learn sign language and even Swahili, to make it easier for them to communicate on the trip.

Mr Ali said the project was going well and they were looking forward to the final challenge.

"The group has stuck together - we have not had any drop outs. We are trying to create 15 role models in Bradford from all the areas for other people to look up to," he commented.

"When they get back they have to do 100 hours voluntary work in their own community to put something back into it."

He said they had always intended to support the Bradford Can...Appeal and now the cost of the trip had been met, they could start collecting sponsorship.

The Bradford Can...Appeal currently stands at £850,000 - only £150,000 away from the £1 million target.

The money will go towards cancer research at Bradford University and Bradford Royal Infirmary and once the goal is hit, Cancer Research UK will boost the fund by another £5 million.

Any individuals or businesses who would like to sponsor the To The Roof Of Africa group for the Bradford Can...Appeal should contact Mr Ali on (01274) 753550.

Pictured are Rachel Morrison, Youth Project Co-ordinator, and the group aiming to climb Kilimanjaro.