Cheryl Cole to climb Kilimanjaro

Why is Cheryl Cole set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Cheryl Cole is set to swap high heels for hiking boots as she tackles Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.

Cheryl will join a host of celebrities on the ambitious trek, including fellow Girl Aloud Kimberly Walsh, newly-engaged Denise Van Outen and Gary Barlow, who came up with the idea.

Cheryl said: ‘I don’t know about anybody else but I’ve got blisters on every toe of both feet.

‘There’s no make-up and we’re all giving up our luxuries.

‘We are used to getting in good shape when we are on tour. The dancing really keeps us fit but this is totally different.’

The X Factor judge added: ‘I sent Kimberley a text the other night after a 12-mile walk on the treadmill. When I went to bed I honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to get up in the morning.’

Kimberly says of the expedition: ‘The training is hard but we are secretly enjoying it.

‘I’ve been to Africa before for Comic Relief so I know why we are doing this. Whenever I think, “This is tough”, I just remind myself it’s nothing compared to what families in Africa have to deal with.

But it’s sleep-deprived new dad Gary Barlow who’s really struggling.

‘It has been tough. I forget I’m ten years older than when Dawn and I had our first,’ he laughed.

‘Training on top of the sleepless nights has been really hard work. It’s the one thing that will be really hard.

‘My little girl Daisy will only be six weeks old when I am away, so that will be tough. I’ll miss the kids, but at least I’ll get a full night’s sleep for a change!’

Other celebs taking part include Alesha Dixon, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, Ronan Keating, Fearne Cotton and Ben Shephard.

And, as Kilimanjaro stands at a whopping 5,891.8 metres – the highest peak in Africa – they really have got a huge mountain to climb!

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