DENISE Challenger is aiming to scale a mountain in the world's highest range to help research into the disease which killed her two sons.

In fact, in a cruel twist of fate, all three of her sons contracted forms of meningitis - but her eldest, Stephen, now 28, survived.

His brothers, twins Andrew and Richard, were not so lucky. Born prematurely, at 28 weeks, Andrew contracted fluid on the brain due to the haemophilus influenza (type B) strain of the virus. He died just seven months later. Twin brother Richard survived until he was 21 before dying in 1999, but his short life was plagued with a series of debilitating conditions.

Mrs Challenger, 49, of Darby Crescent, Ebbw Vale, said: "Richard was left with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and severe brain damage. Despite this he was very clever, but his body had taken enough over the years and it was just his time to go.

"I didn't have chance to grieve for Andrew because I had to look after Richard, but when he died I was absolutely devastated.

"It is only when you have kids with meningitis do you realise how cruel the condition can be."

Although eldest son Stephen suffered from learning difficulties throughout his childhood as a consequence of battling meningitis, he is currently training to be a chef. Now Denise, who suffers from osteo-arthritis in her joints, is channelling all her energy into getting fit and raising money for the Meningitis Trust by climbing 18,000 feet to the summit of Xishapangma in the Himalayas.

So far, she has raised over £700 for the adventure, which will take place after her 50th birthday in May next year, through the generosity of neighbours and businesses. Denise said: "The aim of the trust is to completely eradicate meningitis, which they believe is possible with enough funds for research.

"When my children had meningitis, the trust wasn't as strong as it is now and I had to cope by myself for most of the time.

"Today the trust is absolutely brilliant and provides a lot more support for people, whether it is in the form of helping with care or just a shoulder to cry on. It is a lifeline for some people." Denise's passion for walking developed when she used it as a way of dealing with her sadness following the death of her twin sons.

Denise said: "I've always been into walking, but when my son, Richard, died it was a way of coping with all the grief I had."