THEY are scaling the top of the world in memory of an Alresford teenager who never shied from a challenge.

Two climbers are taking on the Himalayas to spread the message of 16-year-old Allegra Whittome and raise money for her memorial charity.

Allegra, from Wield, near Alresford, died suddenly in February after pulling out of an athletics competition hours before it was due to start.

Her positive outlook and love of sport inspired her parents to start Allegra's Ambition, a charity fulfilling her dreams by helping others.

Hayley Gaj, Allegra's former PE teacher at St Swithun's School, Winchester, is scaling a 18,000ft peak at the foot of Everest with Rik Elderton next month.

She said: "Allegra always rose to a challenge and I think taking a challenge out to Everest will allow us to take her ambition to the roof of the world. Nothing was ever too much for Allegra and whatever challenge she was faced with, she gave it 110 per cent.

"Overwhelmingly she wanted to represent her country at the Olympics. As she loved all sport, she didn’t mind which sport it would be. It is a tragedy that she will not be able to fulfil those dreams.

"This is our chance now to do something in her memory to raise money for her charity to help inspire people to have the same attitude and positive towards sport and life in general that Allegra had."

The team will set off on January 15, spending two days in Nepalese capital Kathmandu to distribute clothing, education resources and sports equipment to local schools and communities.

"Such items will offer local Nepalese people the opportunities that Allegra cared so deeply about," Ms Gaj said. "This part of the expedition will be particularly poignant in the aftermath of horrific earthquakes which have plagued the region this year and the socio-economic difficulties that have arisen as a result."

The mountaineers aim to finish the 39 mile trek to Everest Base Camp in seven days, taking on sub-zero temperatures for up to eight hours a day.

They will climb the peak at Kala Pattar before finishing on January 31.

The expedition is privately funded and has been sponsored by Fitness First.

Allegra's Ambition aims to share the teenager's values and attitude with young people across the world.

For more information or to enquire about sponsorship, visit allegrasambition.org.uk.