Julianne McGregor will hula hoop along the route up Africa's highest mountain and hopes to spin a few circles at the top.

The 27-year-old, who works in human resources, is raising cash for the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) to support her American friend Megan Houchins, who has thyroid cancer.

Miss Houchins, 31, who lives in Columbus, Ohio, has been battling the disease since she was 21.

Miss McGregor, who is Australian but now lives in Highbury, North London, said: "I'm doing this for my close friend Megan, who is currently fighting cancer, and all other cancer sufferers out there.

"I enjoy hula hooping anyway but I thought that I would do it on Mount Kilimanjaro because it would put a smile on Megs' face.

"If not, the pictures of me dirty, sweaty but resolutely hula hooping surely will.

"Megs has been fighting medullary thyroid carcinoma since she was 21.

"She had seven major operations on her neck and chest to remove the tumours, but sadly, it came back in December 2005.

"Despite battling this disease for 10 years, she has got on with her life and is getting married in May. I am very proud and excited to be her bridesmaid."