A team of ambitious fundraisers have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise £50,000 for a local children’s hospice, writes Olivia Thornton.

The money will go to the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, a free care centre that provides support and advice for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.

The team of five, which included Shooting Star’s chief executive and Epsom resident Dalton Leong, climbed the highest free-standing mountain in the world to raise vital funds for the on-going care service provided at the hospice.

Mr Leong, who was accompanied on the climb by Paul Joyce, Darren Flick, Paul Nicholson and Mike Grieveson, said: “Without a doubt, this was the most mentally and physically demanding challenge of my life.

“The achievement of reaching the top was worth every moment of self-doubt that kept coming to mind, once we ascended above 5,000m.” As part of his fundraising, Mr Leong also raised £1,000 by dyeing his hair bright blue.

Mr Leong was challenged by Chloe Parsons, who regularly attends Shooting Star House for day care, and her sister Holly, to go for the drastic new look, with both girls also joining in the fun before he set off for Africa. Shooting Star Children’s Hospice opened in 2005 and now supports 250 families.

Shooting Star’s care services are based around the needs of the whole family, so as well as caring for the children and young people, there are activities and support groups for siblings, parents and other relatives.

For more information on the work of the hospice, and to make a donation to the cause visit teamshootingstar.co.uk. • Got a great story for us? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.