Pictured above: (L to R) Naveed Khaliq, Michelle Buckle and Emma Thoresen

A leading Midlands restaurant is towering over the competition after sponsoring local businesswoman and serial fund-raiser, Michelle Buckle a fifth of her total sponsorship target to climb the world's largest free-standing mountain in aid of children's healthcare.

Anoki restaurant, which is based in the Lace Market in Nottingham and also has restaurants in Derby and Burton, has sponsored Michelle Buckle and her friend Emma Thoresen £1,000 to climb the 5,895 meters to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Facing the challenge of scaling the monstrous volcano in June 2010, Michelle and Emma have begun a rigorous training programme combining cardiovascular workouts with hill walking whilst carrying a back-pack weighing 20 pounds.

Great Ormond Street Hospital, established in 1852, is the national centre of excellence in the provision of specialist children's healthcare and delivers the widest range of specialities of any children's hospital in the UK.

Commenting on Michelle's challenge, Anoki's owner Naveed Khaliq said:

"I feel that businesses should do their bit to support the local community, so when Michelle told me she wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, I though she was mad, but was more than happy to sponsor her." 

"I would like to congratulate both Michelle and Emma on doing so well with their training and wish them the very best of luck on completing an extraordinary challenge."

Michelle added:"Thanks again to Nav for his generosity, he has been a tremendous support to me throughout my fund-raising activities, which has benefited a number of worthwhile charities."

"The challenge of climbing the world's highest mountain is going to make running 26 miles around the streets of London look like a walk in the park, but I am looking forward to the challenge and to raising as much money as possible for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital."

A world away from the traditional curry house, Anoki provides traditional Indian cuisine and a wide vegetarian choice devised from authentic recipes. Each dish is created using fresh produce and made to order and is complemented by a carefully selected menu of wines and champagnes and beers from around the world.