A SIXTEEN- strong team, including the Witham MP and Town Mayor, will be facing a tough challenge as they plan to climb over the O2 Arena.

Priti Patel and Bill Rose will be joining a team to climb one of London's famous landmarks and raise money for two charities.

The money raised will go towards Brainwave, based in Newland Street, and Children with Cancer UK.

Both charities, chosen by the Mayor, support children with disabilities or illnesses.

Ms Patel, the first Government Minister to complete the climb, said: “I’m excited to be getting together with the team ahead of the climb to help raise awareness of the challenge that we are undertaking in aid of such fantastic charities.

“Members of the community and local businesses have been extremely generous in their support so far and I hope more people will get behind us during our final push to raise even more for the charities as part of the Town Mayor’s appeal.”

The two met outside Brainwave in Witham on Friday, April 1, with the rest of the team.

Bill Rose said: "It should be a great experience and it has certainly caught a lot of attention.

"Hopefully it will raise a lot of money."