For the best part of 2 years, I've been preparing to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world standing at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet). 

I am embarking on the "DHL Everst Expedition" in spring 2011 and I'm sure you'll agree this is a formidable challenge for anyone. In my quest to become the youngest British female in history to reach the summit, I will battle jet stream winds, tempreature of -40 celcius (on a good day!) and life threatening altitudes, all of which will contribute to total mental and physical exhuastion.

Mountaineering is as much of a mental battle as physical. This is a battle I have chosen to enter into, but for 1 in 5 people in the UK who will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their life, they don't choose the challenges they face. 

Depression Alliance is a British charity which strives to provide and promote services that represent all that I stand for. Due to close links with mental illness, I am passionate about supporting them.

Mental illness affects people from every walk of life, yet is so often overlooked. Please, please donate any amount you can and help me to raise funds and awareness for this deserving charity.

If climbing Everest and this fantastic charity isn't worthy of a donation, what is?