A DETERMINED team of fundraisers have completed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro.

In a bid to raise £30,000 for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust near Lymm, 22 teammates have spent the year training for the challenge.

Helen Crowther, the trust fundraiser, has never shied away from challenges and adds Kilimanjaro to Everest base camp, a skydive and the Great Wall of China, all of which she completed for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust.

Helen donated a kidney to her best friend in 2017 and also wanted to prove that you can lead a normal life after a transplant.

Helen said: "The trek was extremely hard. There was constant, heavy rain during the first three days and we couldn't get dry or keep any of our clothes dry.

"We felt the effects of the altitude pretty much straightaway too so we were walking slowly.

"We trekked for five days then stopped before setting off for the summit overnight.

"When the sun began to rise at 7am it was a huge boost for us, it was absolutely stunning to see.

"By 8am we reached the summit at it was minus 22 degrees so you can't stay up there for very long.

"Each person earned every single penny of their sponsorship, it was by far the hardest thing any of us has ever done.

"The team was brilliant and we all picked each other up on bad days.

The team doubled their fundraising target, raising an incredible £60,000 for the adventure farm which provides holidays and respite for disadvantaged and disabled children in the region.

Helen added: "You're thinking to yourself, 'this is a massive challenge' but these kids who visit us at the farm face this every day.

"We only had to do it for a week.

"They climb their own personal mountains just trying to be children.

"Kilimanjaro has always been one of those things I've wanted to do. The kidney donation has made me think 'you've just got to take these opportunities'.

"When I was off work for the operation it made me appreciate more what it is like not being able to do things and now I'll do it to help the kids at the farm.

"Loads of them would love the opportunity to do something like this but some of them will never be able to.

"But we can give them their own adventure at the farm."

The money raised will go towards the Christmas parties hosted at the adventure farm and for the holidays the trust provides throughout the year.