Philip and Sharon Rose, from Lenzie, will join a group following in the footsteps of British explorer Eric Shipton – trekking to the top of the Kuari Pass in the towering Himalayas this October.

The eight-day walk will take the couple to Nanda Devi, the highest mountain in India at 7816m.

They will be attempting the journey to raise money for charity Operation Mobilisation, which is aiming to build a school for the Dalit people of India.

Philip said: "We need £55,000 to build a school, which includes buying the land and constructing the building.

"Sharon and I are looking to raise £6,000 between us and have already raised £3,000.

"It should be an amazing cultural experience and we have been training by walking in Scotland – we climbed Ben Lomond just last week."

The couple will be holding a fundraising charity ceilidh at Lenzie Union Parish Church on Saturday, September 6, at 7.30pm, featuring a buffet courtesy of the Kirkintilloch Ashoka and music from the Canny Clamjamphries Ceilidh Band.

They will also be auctioning off items including rugby internationalist Euan Murray's rugby shirt – signed by the whole Scotland team – and a visit for four to Ibrox Stadium.

Tickets for the ceilidh, £10/£7 concession, are available by calling 0141 572 0050 or 07801 088768.

Bids on the rugby shirt (starting at £100) can be made until Friday, September 5, by e-mailing sharon.rose@uk.om.org