Attempting to climb Africa’s biggest mountain, Kilimanjaro, a number of celebrities are making an effort to raise money for the people of Tanzania where many die of malaria. It was the idea of Gary Barlow, 38, who wants to raise enough to donate mosquito nets to the people of Tanzania to prevent more disease in the country.

Onlookers saw plenty of high end trekking gear, sunglasses and minimal make up on the celebrities braving it out in Africa. The trekking team includes Denise van Outen, 34, Cheryl Cole, 25, Kimberley Walsh, 27, Ferne Cotton, 27, DJ Chris Moyles, 35, Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, 31, Alesha Dixon, 30 and GMTV host Ben Shephard, 34, besides Barlow. They have raised more than £460,000 already even as they begin the first leg of their ascent.

The team arrived in Arusha Tanzania where a team of trek gurus and medics briefed them. The medic gave them their first shock when he told them that they had taken too many things and forced them to leave a lot of their stuff behind. Toiletries and spare clothes were among the things the stars had to unpack and leave behind. It did spur some reaction from some team members and Ferne Cotton commented, “Up a mountain with four pairs of socks? No way am I letting delicate little Cheryl Cole smell my big cheesy feet.”

Most of the luggage will be carried up the mountain by porters, which is only usual for such treks but the celebrities will be carrying bags full of sweets to keep the energy levels high.