CHARITY challenge enthusiast Karen Beaver is preparing to embark on her fifth fundraising climb to boost the funds of two worthwhile causes.

Karen, from Minehead, has already conquered Macchu Pechu on Peru's Inca trail with her son Luke, Africa's highest mountain Mount Kilimanjaro with close friend Heather Cook, Mount Toubkal in North Africa's Atlas Mountains with daughter Kristy and South America's highest mountain Aconcagua with husband Richard.

But for her latest challenge - 6,121-metre high Stok Kangri in India - she will be climbing solo.

Although Karen, who celebrates her 50th birthday this year, will be travelling with an organised group, she will be undertaking the expedition without a family member or friend for the first time.

"I decided it was about time that I did one expedition on my own but I must admit I am feeling a bit apprehensive about it," she said.

Karen's family business, Beaver Garages, will be covering the cost of the trip.

So all the sponsorship she secures will be split between her two chosen charities - SURE, which helps equip the new Beacon Centre for cancer sufferers at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital, and Clic Sargent in memory of the young son of friend and former Beaver Garages employee Chris Lamb and his wife Rachel who died from neuroblastoma.

Karen's challenge will begin when she flies out to New Delhi on July 26, travelling on to Leh, one of the highest airports in the world.

After a few days acclimatisation she and the rest of the group will begin the climb, heading out into the countryside.

"We will traverse rivers, trek through valleys and gorges before eventually leaving all this behind and heading up to the Gulap glacier," said Karen.

The group will make its attempt on the summit on day 13.

"The bid for the summit will start before dawn and require scrambling over scree and boulders at an altitude of over 20,000ft.

"And as this is on a steep path, roping everyone together to prevent falls is a real probability."

Karen will spend 18 days in total in India with a fortnight of climbing.

"I'm hoping to raise at least £1,000, which will be split between the two charities," she said.

Anyone willing to sponsor her efforts can do so at Beaver Ford in Brunel Way, Minehead, at http://www.justgiving.com/Karen-Beaver">www.justgiving.com/Karen-Beaver or directly to SURE at http://www.surecharity.org.uk">www.surecharity.org.uk.

Photo: Steve Guscott