THE adventurous sister of a late RAF engineer is to complete an emotional climb of Kilimanjaro to raise money in his memory.

Joanne Penson (maiden name Evans) of Storridge, near Malvern, hopes to complete the charity challenge in October, conquering Africa's tallest mountains with wounded veterans who will be battling to the summit despite the physical injuries they have suffered.

Her hope is to be able to play her part in helping those who are battling the physical and psychological scars of war.

The 41-year-old will draw inspiration from her brother's memory and the wounded soldiers themselves as they overcome adversity to reach the summit in Tanzania.

Her African adventure is part of a charity tribute to her talented and outgoing brother Darren 'Daz' Evans who died in sudden and tragic circumstances in June 2012.

The father-of-two, who was 39 when he died, served 21 years in the RAF including tours in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Mentioned in dispatches for the role he played in Kosovo,

he was a helicopter engineer with 22 Squadron based at Anglesey but his last posting was at HMS Collingwood where he worked as an RAF crash investigator attached to the Royal Navy (1710 Naval Air Squadron).

Mrs Penson, who works as an engineer at QinetiQ in Malvern, said: "It will be very emotional for me because of why I'm out there.

"Completing the challenge with injured soldiers and helping them will be extremely rewarding.

"That was what really made me decide to go, the fact it helps other people. My brother would be really proud of me and he supported Help for Heroes himself.

"My brother is all I will be thinking about (during the climb)."

She expects that reaching the summit of the mountain will be a deeply emotional moment.

Mrs Penson added: "There are many soldiers in our local area who are injured and wounded serving our country, unfortunately many do not receive the support they need.

"This year in memory of my brother I am committed to raising £4,300 for Help for Heroes charity and to bring awareness to the people that have dedicated their lives in serving others.

"This charity strives to achieve the best for the men and women of Great Britain's Armed Forces, both serving and veteran.

"Help for Heroes work with other service charities to make sure that the wounded, injured and sick get the support they deserve."

Mrs Penson will climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, (19,341 feet) with 13 wounded/injured soldiers and will be covering the travel costs herself so as much as possible goes directly to the charity.

She said: "£4,300 is a huge target for me to raise so I appreciate any help at all towards this fundraising total, no matter how small - it all makes a difference."

Mrs Penson needs to raise at least £2,230 by the beginning of July to be able to take part in the challenge.

So far she has raised £1,096, around 25 per cent of the overall target total.

To support her visit www.justgiving.com/Joanne-Penson