Fourteen climbers will today set off on a challenge to reach the peak of Africa's volcanic Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for an orphanage in Kenya.

During the six-day climb the Kilimanjaro IV team will make their way through forested grounds that will gradually give way to icy terrain as they approach the peak about 6,000 metres high.

With every footstep the team will move closer towards achieving their goal to raise €65,000 to subsidise the first phase in the construction of the Oasis of Peace - an orphanage that will house children who lost their parents to HIV or as a result of tribal warfare. "So far we're on track with the funds, which we are collecting with the help of Reaching Out. We have about €45,000 and hope to reach our €65,000 goal by the end of November," climber Josef Grech told a news conference.

After months of training and fundraising events, the team plan to reach the peak on September 6 and will spend the following two days making their way down the mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world and presents an exhausting challenge, with climbers also risking hypothermia and frostbite.

This is the fourth time that a team of Maltese climbers take on the Kilimanjaro challenge organised by the Reaching Out Group.

"We would like to thank all those who support us, especially our families who had to deal with months of us being absent from home and rambling on about a mountain," Mr Grech said.

Anyone who wants to help the climbers reach their goal can donate money to the cause by sending text messages to the following numbers: 5061 7375 for €2.99, 5061 8915 for €6.99 and 5061 9219 for €11.65.

Direct deposits can also be made to HSBC's Malta Kilimanjaro Challenge account number 044118230050 or Bank of Valletta's account number 40017993267.