Two people have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise vital funds for St Catherine’s Hospice.

Leona Smith and Andrew Livesey, representing Lantei Compliance Services, spent six days climbing the mountain, starting on June 4.

They announced the trek in September 2016 in an effort to inspire their staff to get involved in fundraising for St Catherine’s Hospice.

The climb raised over £4,000.

Leona, co-founder of the company, said: “Climbing Kilimanjaro was such an amazing and rewarding experience, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

“It was made even better by the wonderful group of people that I shared it with. We laughed the whole time from start to finish. Just brilliant!”

Andrew, managing director, said: “Sometimes it felt like a mountain upon a mountain with a never-ending summit.

“The feeling of reaching the top will be something that lives with me forever.”

St Catherine’s Hospice has to raise £3.5 million every year through charitable donations to continue operating.

Hayley Jackson, fundraising officer at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “Huge congratulations go to Leona and Andy for completing this incredible feat for St Catherine’s.

“We are so proud of them for what they’ve achieved, and very grateful that they’ve gone to such great lengths in support of the hospice.

“The whole Lantei team is doing an excellent job supporting the charity, and we’re particularly impressed with Leona and Andy’s challenge – we hope it was a fantastic experience!

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“It is only thanks to our wonderful supporters, like the team at Lantei, that we’re able to continue providing specialist care to local people living with conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, heart failure and MS.

“We have the mammoth task of raising £3.5m every single year through fundraising and charitable donations, and we simply couldn’t continue to be here for our community without this valuable support.

“So well done to Leona and Andy, and thank you!”

You can still donate by using Just Giving here.