WEAVER Vale Housing Trust staff made it to the top of Kilimanjaro to raise funds for The Christie.

Staff from legal, responsive repairs, housing, transformation teams and a retired director took on the challenge to raise money for the cancer hospital, where a colleague is currently being treated.

Dave Yoxall, responsive repairs and heating service manager, carried the large flag to the top, which also doubled as a blanket and pillow en route.

He said ‘“It was a wonderful adventure and a great group of people that I was able to share this with.

“We all had heartfelt stories relating to the different charities that people were supporting and I am really pleased to have been able to help raise funds for the Christie, along with my colleagues from Weaver Vale Housing Trust.”

Gary Hood, transformation manager, said “It was such a fantastic experience and so great that all of the group managed to get to the top.

“It made all the hours of training so worthwhile and the main thing was that we’ve raised lots of money for charity.”

Mount Kilimanjaro, situated in Tanzania, is the world’s highest free standing mountain via the Lemosho route, which is approximately 42 miles.

It is also the highest mountain in Africa at 19,341ft above sea level.

In comparison, Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is 4409ft high, so the Weaver Vale staff conquered almost four-and-a-half times that.

Caroline Stubbs, company solicitor, said: “It was an adventure and an amazing experience which I’ll remember forever.

“We’ve been very lucky to have tremendous support from our families, friends and colleagues who’ve helped us raise thousands of pounds for a fantastic cause."

Josie Bell, Lettings Advisor, added: “It was a great experience and privilege to reach the ‘roof of Africa’, with four colleagues following twelve months planning and training for the event, and to raise money for the Teenager and Young Adults Oncology Unit at the Christie."