TYNESIDE students are thinking big to raise funds for an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro by organising a marathon 10-hour gig.

Music Mountain is a pint-sized music festival featuring 30 local bands which will perform at three Newcastle pubs on Saturday.

The Cluny, Cluny 2 and Cumberland Arms will all play host to bands from 1pm to 11pm.

The event will also showcase local talent with a line-up dominated by local acts such as Lake Poets, Chased By Wolves and Red Sky City.

Music Mountain is the brain-child of events promotion student Amy Dickinson, 20.

She said: “At first there were only a few bands interested but it just snowballed – the interest has been really great.

“There's a lot of local talent that people aren’t aware of. This area is very vibrant musically.”

The money raised will send Newcastle lads Callum Robinson, Andrew West, Chris Noble and Alex Rayner up Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Practical Action charity.

Practical Action works with communities across Africa, Bangladesh and Nepal, using simple technology to offer practical solutions to poverty.

Climber Callum Robinson, 20, who studies history at Newcastle University, said: “I’ve always been interested in getting involved with a charity but I wanted to do something productive.

“Practical Action appealed to me because it’s really hands on – they go out there themselves and actively influence how the money is used.”

The group will arrive in Tanzania on June 26 before climbing for an exhausting six days to scale 15,000 ft of Africa’s highest mountain.

They are getting themselves into shape for the gruelling trek by going for long walks anywhere and everywhere.

But, having known each other since their school days at Emmanuel College in Gateshead, it is a tight-knit team who will tackle this challenge.

Callum said: “Having people there with me who are so familiar is important. It’ll motivate me because I won’t want to let anyone down.

“We all know each other’s annoying habits as well.

“I’m definitely going to the top, even if I pass out and someone has to carry me. There’s no way I’m not doing it.”

The students have already attracted sponsorship from Ikea and Emmanuel College but need another £4,000 for the expedition.

Entry to Saturday’s event is £5. To order tickets go to www.music-mountain.com or call 07920421409.