A FORMER Culcheth High School pupil will be attempting to break a hula hooping world record – on top of a 6,000m volcano.

Rhona Mackay will join a team of 17 Peruvian and international charity workers on December 7 to climb the Chachani peak near Arequipa in the south of Peru.

It is part of an attempt to break the world record for hula hooping at high altitude.

The 21-year-old is helping to raise awareness for Helping Overcome Obstacles Peru (HOOP).

HOOP is a small charity working in Arequipa with the vision of breaking the cycle of poverty through education, health and social programs.

Rhona, who attended Culcheth Primary School, and the team have been doing weekly training and fitness sessions to prepare for the challenge.

Everything from hula-hoop techniques to avoiding altitude sickness are being worked on to give the team the best chance.

The Chachani peak is 6,057m above sea level. The current record was set in 2010 at an altitude of 5,895m on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Rhona, who is doing an internship with HOOP as their school coordinator, said: "The challenge will be difficult but it’s really captured the imagination of the public and we have already received a lot of support and good wishes from friends and family back home.

"As well as becoming world record holders, we have an ambitious fundraising goal – with all the money raised going straight back into supporting the project.

"The team has been working really hard – I think we have a good chance of success."

The money pledged in the lead up to the world record attempt will be spent on school rental, schoolbooks and supplies, teacher training, a new maths program, and a new social work program.

To support Rhona's campaign visit hoopperu.org/hulahoop