Bonita Norris is a disability assistant from Berkshire who currently holds two mountaineering records.

In the autumn of 2009 she became the youngest woman in history to reach the false summit of Mt Manaslu in the Himalayas, the world’s eighth highest mountain, at 8163m. Bonita's first experience of high altitude mountaineering meant negotiating a crevasse field over a mile long, avalanche prone slopes, steep sections of blue ice and walls of near vertical ice and snow. She reached the saddle summit alongside her team on the 28th September 2009 at 8.30am after 30 days on the expedition.

Back in England Bonita is a keen outdoor enthusiast. Trail running, biking and rock climbing are her main pursuits.

In March this year she was fortunate to secure a place on Kenton Cool's 2010 Everest expedition after signing a sponsorship contract with VocaLink and Mobile Phone Top-Up at an ATM. A member on a strong team, Bonita topped out on the 17th May at 10.30am after beginning her ascent from Pangboche village at 4000m, to Everest's summit at 8848m in six days.

On the descent Bonita damaged her shoulder. She managed to walk down to the balcony (8,500m) with her team mate and then received sherpa assistance, which she believes saved her life. She was well enough to walk back into summit camp that night after receiving medication and then walk to basecamp over the next two days.

On returning to base camp, Bonita became the youngest British woman to climb Everest and one of the youngest women in history to have stood on top of the world. She wanted to inspire young kids and teens to broaden their own horizons and take on a challenge in the outdoors.

Since returning from Everest Bonita has been made an ambassador for the Global Angels Foundation. Alongside her sponsor, VocaLink, Bonita raised over £13,000 for the children’s charity. She has also been made the face of the Nissan juke car and continues to represent VocaLink and Mobile Phone Top-Up at an ATM.

Bonita is now asked to talk to corporations, schools and charities about her experiences of being an average girl who took on a big challenge, and didn't give up on a seemingly impossible goal.

Her current project is seeking sponsorship for an expedition to the South Pole in the Antarctic season of 2011/2012. Her team aim to leave from the true coast of Antarctica and ski unassisted to the Pole, arriving in January 2012. This record breaking expedition to the coldest place on earth will coincide with the centenary of the South Pole first being reached.