FRIENDS Lucy Tidmarsh and Sadie Jones will be swapping the rolling West Somerset countryside for Scottish mountains and the African sun, all in the space of just a few days as part of a grand fundraising and charity expedition.

The pair, who are both 25, have known each other since school and will be spending two weeks as volunteers in a maternity unity in a Ugandan hospital later this month.

But having covered the cost of the trip themselves, the pair are keen to raise as much money as possible for medical equipment for the Mengo Hospital in Kampala.

As well as a big fundraising 'charity bash' in Minehead tomorrow (Saturday), the girls will also be taking part in a sponsored trip to Ben Nevis in Lucy's vintage 1972 VW Beetle.

While there, they plan to "scale the dizzy height" of Britain's highest mountain before returning to West Somerset to prepare for their African adventure.

Lucy, who lives in East Quantoxhead, is no stranger to voluntary work having previously volunteered in both Vietnam and China.

Sadie, who lives in Minehead, is equally qualified for the task ahead as she already works as a midwife.

Lucy told the Free Press: "Hospitals in Uganda do not have instruments to aid delivery, they do not have cord clamps for when a baby is born and worse still they have no gloves to prevent the risk of spreading infections like HIV and Aids.

"These people do not deserve such limited medical assistance and as little as £35 can provide all the essential equipment needed to bring a baby into the world safely."

The pair's charity bash is being held within the grounds of the West Somerset Community College at Minehead Cricket Club from 4pm onwards and promises live bands, a barbecue, golf simulator, sumo wrestling, raffles and a bar.

All the money raised during the event will be added to the Ben Nevis sponsorship pot and used to provide everything from blood pressure machines, stethoscopes and even tape measures.

More information about the hospital is available on the website http://www.mengofriends.org.uk">www.mengofriends.org.uk, while Lucy can be contacted by phone on 07581 740986, 01278 741162 or email at [email protected]">[email protected].