THREE women colleagues from an accountancy firm in Worsley formed part of a team which tackled Africa's highest mountain.

The trio at Champion Chartered Accountants in Worsley Court, High Street "bagged" Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and helped raise £10,000 for charity.Partner Jo Shaughnessy and business development managers Dawn Stockton and Rachel Ward Lilley completed a dangerous adventure with friends Jayne Hesford from the Big Picture Children's Nursery in Southport, Lynne Gartell of Tui UK and Heather Heathfield of IT Perspectives in Manchester.They were away for two and a half weeks after a bout of fitness training.

"We were trying to get a work-life balance," Rachel said today. We all know each other and we wanted to have a goal other than a business goal."

She said the ascent of Kilimanjaro involved seven days of walking and six nights of camping. Problems for the women, who are all in their 30s and 40s, included potential frostbite in minus 15 temperatures and altitude sickness.

Also, one of their guides survived a charge by a water buffalo.

Cash raised went to Francis House Children's Hospice in Manchester, the North-west arm of the Rainbow Trust. Anyone who wants to make a contribution is asked to call Rachel on 0161-703-2500.

Rachel added: "We are looking at Greenland and South America for our next challenge"

GIRLS' BIG ADVENTURE: From left, Dawn Stockton, Jo Shaughnessy, Lynne Gartell, Rachel Ward Lilley, Jayne Hesford and Heather Heathfield

One for the album. The team is pictured on the summit of Kilimanjaro.