MOTHER of two Carla Delicata is getting into training to climb the highest peak in Africa despite having a painful medical condition.

Mrs Delicata, 29, from Beverly, Toothill, works in the customer services department of Nationwide Building Society.

She suffers daily from endometriosis which causes severe cramps throughout her body.

Despite her crippling condition, single mum Carla, who is separated from her husband, says her desire to look after her two sons Curtis, 10, and Lewis, nine, has helped her to carry on with dignity and strength.

Now she is in training for the Mount Kilimanjaro trek with her training partner, Rottweiler Owen.

Carla said: "Owen accompanies me on my runs. He is able to keep up most of the way, but he does begin to get tired towards the end."

Carla has suffered from the symptoms of endometriosis since she was about 14.

But the underlying cause of her problem was not diagnosed until eight years ago.

"My doctors suggested that my painful symptoms were a result of having children or period pains," she explained.

"I eventually went for medical tests and I was told that I had endometriosis.

"It sounds strange but it was a relief to be told that it was not in my imagination, that I was suffering from a genuine medical complaint.

"People who suffer from the condition all face the problem that it is an invisible thing. If you were on crutches or had some other outward sign that something was wrong, it would be a bit easier because people would understand that you were suffering from an illness.

"Sometimes the pain can be so bad that it is difficult to get out of bed, let alone leave the house."

Carla has refused to take pain killers for her condition, because she feels they would dull her senses and make her feel even more tired.

"I see myself as quite a positive person, I am a battler and I refuse to let this illness get me down, but I know that many other sufferers find themselves becoming depressed.

"I wanted to do something positive to help fellow sufferers. The Endometriosis Society does a lot of really valuable work into the condition."

Carla will be travelling with other endometriosis sufferers and their families to Africa on February 26 next year, to start her epic attempt, returning to England on March 7.

Carla aims to raise £2,500 and she is keen to hear from anyone who is willing to sponsor her attempt.