Gary Barlow and stars to climb Klimanjaro

4 Nov 2008 

TAKE THAT star GARY BARLOW has assembled a gang of celebrity pals, including GIRLS ALOUD singers CHERYL COLE and KIMBERLEY WALSH, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in a bid to raise money for charity.
 
The British boyband frontman has recruited stars like Boyzone singer Ronan Keating to scale the 19,340-foot (5,894 metre) peak in Tanzania in February (09) for the U.K. charity Comic Relief.
 
Barlow says, "I went to Africa for Comic Relief 18 months ago and the images from that trip have stayed with me and made me want to do something big to make a difference and raise money. The other people on the climb feel similarly, so it made sense to ask them to join me".
 
"I have chosen the people I want to be stuck on the side of a mountain with, even if we are the least likely you would expect to find there. We are all nervous and are trying to fit training into our schedules, but the team spirit, enthusiasm and commitment are incredible."
 
And Walsh insists she didn't hesitate when she was approached by her fellow pop star to take on the daunting challenge.
 
She adds, "Since visiting Africa with Comic Relief a year ago, I haven't been able to forget how easy it is for someone in my position to help change the lives of poor and vulnerable people by raising money".
 
"When Gary approached me and Cheryl about doing the climb, I didn't think twice. It was only after I put the phone down that I wondered what we'd signed up for."