Mountain trek to get fit and raise money

TWO friends are sticking to New Year's resolutions with a charity trek in the Spanish mountains.

Edinburgh women Avril Nicholson, 47, and Fiona Birrell, resolved to get fit and help charity this year.

So it's off to the mountains of Sierra N evada to raise money for the Parkinson's Disease Society via the Trek Spain scheme.

The expedition through the Spanish peaks lasts for five days and the two women will cover between 30 and 44km.

Ms Nicholson, a Parkinson's nurse, said: "This is the best way to beat the winter blues and start 2010 by doing something positive. We can't wait and hope to raise a lot of money before June."

The pair have already raised 1,500, twice their target.