A HEALTHCARE assistant from Worcestershire who is in training to climb a mountain next year has raised £2,000 and lost three stone.

Laura Worrallo-Hickman, from Bransford, near Worcester, will tackle Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice.

The 23-year-old will take part in the Summit Challenge in October next year.

She is hoping to raise more than £3,000 for the charity which is based in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

She has raised more than £2,000 so far through coffee mornings, car boot sales, and summer parties. Her brother James, 12, has also helped her fund-raising.

Miss Worrallo-Hickman said: “I initially went to St Richard’s to volunteer, but I have been fortunate enough to now work there as a relief health care assistant and I love my job. The staff are wonderful and really do care for the patients who they look after.”

To sponsor her visit justgiving.com/lauraworrallohickman.