A teacher from Marlow is set to climb Africa’s highest peak in memory of her twin daughters.

Jacqui Newell is raising money for premature and sick baby charity Bliss by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next year to mark her 40th birthday.

Her trek comes after she sadly lost her twin daughters in her third trimester of pregnancy eight years ago due to a rare condition called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

She said: “On August 19, 2010, our world was thrown off its axis when we lost our twin baby girls.

“After this reluctant path was forced upon us, my husband and I decided to cross Norway into Sweden by husky, camping in sub-zero conditions, which raised £11,570 for Wrexham SCBU and £1,338 for our Bliss Precious Star Fund – a memorial fund we set up with Bliss as tribute to our girls’ lives.

“It’s almost a decade since we had to make the most heart wrenching decision to say goodbye.

“This expedition is in memory of our two angels, to my young boys who amaze me every day, my husband who encompasses the word strength but also, to every parent experiencing loss and those who have had to embark upon the momentous, uphill battle through grief – continue digging for the courage, you need to not let it define you.

“In life we all have to face our own personal mountain but it’s not the mountain we conquer, it’s ourselves. To my twin girls – see you at the top.”

Jacqui will embark upon her adventure on February 9, which will mark her 40th birthday. The seven day trek will see her follow the Lemosho route to the top of the 5,895-metre mountain.

Caroline Lee-Davey, chief executive of Bliss, said: “We are so grateful that Jacqui has chosen to raise money for us.

“Her support is invaluable in helping us to achieve our ambition to reach every single baby born needing neonatal care in the UK and their family.

“We want every baby to benefit from our work, no matter how long they live, and Jacqui’s contribution will help us to reach this goal.

“We wish her the best of luck with this momentous mountain challenge.”

To donate to Jacqui’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jacqui-newell2010.