TV comedian’s daughter in mountain trek

Charlotte Dawson, daughter of funnyman Les, is trying to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, a 20,000ft mountain in Tanzania and embarked on the trip yesterday.

The actress and model is raising money for the Red Cross, where she is now an ambassador.

She has been training on Mount Snowdon in Wales and expects the climb to take up to a week to complete.

She said: “I can’t actually believe I’ve set off to climb Kilimanjaro.

“It only seems like yesterday I agreed to do it.

“I’m so nervous but so excited – I have been given such an incredible opportunity.

“Thank you to all my amazing family and friends for all their support and all the lovely people who have kindly donated.”

The trek is not Charlotte’s first attempt at fund-raising.

In December she helped to raise thousands of pounds by selling off some of her glamourous dresses.

The money was donated to the Red Cross’ Philippines Shop Drop appeal after the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in east Asia last year.

Charlotte said the charity was one close to the heart of father Les, who died in 1993.

She added: “This is a really important charity to me because my dad was a big supporter of theirs and with it being the 20th anniversary of his death, I wanted to do something to help them and make him proud.

“It was hard work going through my clothes and giving them away but to be honest I have got far too many so I was probably overdue a big clear out.”

The shop drop appeal gained widespread publicity after David and Victoria Beckham gave away clothing and shoes, with thousands of pounds raised at a Red Cross shop in London.

You can sponsor Charlotte on her mountain climb at www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com or, or if you want to help the Red Cross locally, pop into their office in Kirkham and shop in Cleveleys.

Charlotte added: “I would greatly appreciate any last minute donations, as I’m trying to get to £5,000.”