A 24-YEAR-OLD, who passed her HGV licence at the age of 18 and heads up one of the UK’s leading international horse transport companies, is preparing for her next challenge – Mount Kilimanjaro.

Charlotte Jones, better known as Charlie, is preparing for a mammoth charity challenge when she will tackle Africa’s highest mountain.

She will be embarking on the trek in memory of her late grandfather Brian Jones while raising money for the Aplastic Anaemia Trust, a charity dedicated to researching the rare blood condition that claimed his life.

Aplastic Anaemia results in bone marrow failing to produce essential blood cells.

Joining her on the challenge will be friend Harriet Spalding.

Charlie Jones is not unused to challenges, having passed her HGV driving test at just 18 while she already helps run C&C Horse Transport based in Stokesley.

Nevertheless, when she begins her seven-day, 6,000m trek on March 16, temperatures are likely to plummet as low as -15C.

Charlie said she wanted to do something exceptional to honour the memory of her grandfather.

“My grandfather was a remarkable man so I wanted to do something out of the ordinary to honour him and this challenge will really push me to the limit,” she added.

“I’ve funded the trip myself so all the money raised, either through events, activities or donations, will go to the charity and as a family company we’ve also decided to match the amount raised pound for pound.”

Charlie is a member of the Jones family in North Yorkshire – owners of the Armstrong Richardson group which includes AR Agriculture, AR Entertainments, AR Fuels, AR Wholesale, C&C Horse Transport and Millbry Hill.

Her late grandfather led the group for many years before his death in 2001.

His three sons Mark, Nigel and Craig are now at the helm, with Charlie’s sister Serena leading Millbry Hill, the group’s retail division.

The Aplastic Anaemia Trust is the company’s chosen charity for 2017.

The Kilimanjaro climb has been organised by Action Challenge – a group that helps raise more than £10m for UK charities every year.

Donations towards Charlie’s fundraising efforts can be made in Millbry Hill stores at Stokesley, Whitby, Richmond and Whitehaven in Cumbria - or online at; http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charliejones11