Reddy says she was inspired to do the climb by her cousin, and by the fact that she needed to get fit. Also, being part of the organisation, she wants to help out the growth fund, even though this was never a dream of hers.

“I have never hiked before deciding to do this. It was only two weeks ago for the first time that I slept in a sleeping bag and in a tent! Crazy, but true.”

The climb is part of a project to expand the organisation’s premises. Claire Rosewarne, office manager at AFFT, says Reddy is aiming to publicise the organisation, as well as aid the growth fund, because they are “bursting at the seams”.

“We have been operating from a converted garage… but now we just don’t have the space to aid more people… We are raising money for our own property.”

Funds will be raised “mainly through [fundraising organisation] Back a Buddy but also through AFFT’s member's networks” and three of the fundraising options  are achievement-based, built around Reddy’s progress up the mountain.

Reddy, a business analyst at Spectrum Mobile, says this required a lot of hard work. “On some days I worked out three times a day, swam twice a week, did spinning everyday [and] joined Run-Walk for Life.” She also did Sunday hikes in Magalieberg and Drakensberg.

“It is an awesome feeling,” she says. “I already feel like I have achieved so much. People have been fantastically supportive. It is a lot of hard work.” Reddy adds she has been “lucky enough to work for an organisation that was supportive to this cause”.

After the climb, Reddy says she would do something like this again for charity. “South Africa has so many areas that need help and unless individuals get involved and start making a difference I fear that the poverty will not be alleviated.”

A friend of Reddy’s, Natalja Paroseva, who is based in Dubai will be joining her on the hike. She says this has been great to raise awareness for the organisation. “This is all that we need people telling people, it's all viral.”

Reddy’s climb will begin tomorrow, and followers can donate through Back a Buddy.