Gwent climbers scale Africa's highest mountain to help cancer charity

Mike Ridd from Cwmbran and Newport’s Jamie-Lee Young joined a team of 24 in travelling 6,000 miles to Tanzania before scaling the 5,895 metres to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The challengers trekked for five days and on summit night, they walked for almost 12 hours in -15 degrees, 20mph winds and a snow blizzard - the worst weather Kilimanjaro has seen in years.

They walked over 40 kilometres and raised £105,000 which will go towards helping those affected by cancer.

Mr Ridd said: “Having lost seven stone and having my knee surgically reconstructed, I'm always keen to test myself.”

“I've climbed all the big mountains in the UK so was always going to travel for my next one.

“Aided by beautiful views, a great team and the amazing support crew it was, all things considered, incredible,” said Mr Ridd.

Together, the Gwent pair raised £8,750.52 for Tenovus, which contributed to the challengers’ £105,000 total.

Ms Young from Newport was also part of the team and was convinced by Mr Ridd, her ‘inspiration, personal trainer and friend for life’ to take on Kilimanjaro in 2016.

“After purchasing my first ever pair of walking boots in March 2015, I never would have thought by November 2016 I would have conquered the highest free-standing mountain in the world,” she said.

“The memories of the trip will forever stay with me from the beautiful views to the great company who gave me so many laughs.

“Nothing could’ve prepared me for the experience but I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”

Mhairi Jones, Runs and Challenge Events Manager at Tenovus Cancer Care, said: “It was an incredibly emotional moment to see Mike and Jamie-Lee reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“We’re so grateful to them, and everyone in the team, for taking on this monumental challenge.”

“The mountain threw a lot of challenges our way but despite it all, we did it – we conquered Kilimanjaro at its absolute worst and I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”