by Jo Earle

jearle@thekmgroup.co.uk

After six gruelling days, 28 listeners of kmfm are feeling on top of the world having finally completed their climb up Africa's highest peak.

The group began the challenge on Saturday morning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Fourteen reached the summit in total, nine got to Gillman's Peak, and the others made it half way up.

At 19,340ft the peak is more than four times the height of Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis.

kmfm's Steve Fountain on the Kilimanjaro trip

The trek was via the Rongai route, taking the trekkers through cultivated farmlands, lush rainforests, and alpine meadows and above the clouds to the barren lunar landscape of the upper mountain, before a final push to its snow-capped summit.

It was the first of three expeditions planned for this year, involving around 120 kmfm listeners in total.

Each climber has raised at least £3,750 and many have personal reasons for supporting the charity.

The trips have been organised by head of radio Steve Fountain.

Back in the hotel Steve told KentOnline: "It was very hard and I'm very sore.

"It was absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done. It's been amazing.

"Everyone has massively over achieved above any of their personal expectations.

"You can't explain to people how difficult it is.

"There were a lot of sore limbs and various illnesses, but the main thing is everyone got there, got up and got back down again.

"I'm sure its not one of the things anyone would want to do again."

However, on a personal level, Steve was disappointed he never reached the final summit.

He said: "I got 800m from the top and started struggling. I am disappointed I didn't reach the first summit - it was simply because nature took over and wouldn't let me physically do it.

"Everyone trained hard for nearly a year, to ensure they were up to the task."

Each trekker had to raise a minimum of £3,750, though many have raised significantly more and that money will help provide more Marie Curie nurses for Kent.