Two Preston brothers, Richard Winnard and Stuart Lord-Winnard teamed up with their friend Adrian Bell to climb the highest mountain in Africa for a great cause.

The team reached the 5895m high summit, one of the highest peaks in the world, in a joint effort to raise money for charities close to their hearts.

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The charities included Macmillan Cancer Support and The British Heart Foundation, after both families have been affected by cancer and heart related conditions.

The trio are enthusiastic to raise funds to support the research and wonderful work of the charities, raising a staggering total of nearly £10,000.

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The hike was completed with a large team of people, taking them 7 days, in which 5 were spent climbing up and 2 days returning.

The trio found being part of a big team a rewarding experience as everyone could support each other, especially through low points, creating a strong team spirit with laughs along the journey.

Richard Winnard, 32, from Ashton in Preston, said: “It was one of the best and most challenging experiences of my life.

“Climbing Kilimanjaro is something I have always wanted to do and I figured it would be a unique experience, which it lived up to be.”

“I signed up to the challenge over a year ago and ever since we have been training and preparing for the hike, including attending the gym at Fulwood Leisure Centre and plenty of practice hikes in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Snowdonia.”

As the time arrived to approach the summit, the team set of at midnight and trekked with head torches in temperatures as low as -15 degrees.

Richard said: “It was very gruelling and draining and the altitude made it hard to breathe.

“When I reached the summit the sun was rising, which was an amazing feeling and I felt very proud knowing that I had done it.”

You can donate to the team by visiting the online donation page www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/K-Squad