OXFORDSHIRE athlete Victoria Pendleton has embarked on the first leg of a charity challenge to conquer Everest.

The former Olympic cyclist who lives at Moreton, near Thame, is raising money for the British Red Cross in a bid to highlight the environmental challenges facing mountains.

She is joining celebrity adventurer Ben Fogle for the challenge to scale the world's highest mountain on May 1.

Currently at base camp and acclimatising before the trek begins she said earlier that she was prepared to give it her all in conquering the mountain.

She said: “I believe in fate and what will be will be. I feel like it’s something that I want to do, that I want to attempt.

“Whether it happens or not I don’t know, whether we get there and weather conditions aren’t suitable.

“We are not going to be ego-driven and get summit-crazy about getting up there but we both want to give it our best shot.”

While in Nepal, Ben and Victoria will also meet Red Cross volunteers and see for themselves the work the organisation has been doing. They will find out how the Red Cross supports the most vulnerable people of the country to prepare for earthquakes.

Ms Pendleton has competed as a jockey, and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing since retiring from cycling in 2012.

She has also completed charity work around the county, including cutting the ribbon to officially open Sobell House's new Bicester shop in April.

To donate visit redcross.org.uk.