A FATHER and daughter from Malvern, with a combined age of 124, are now back on level ground after successfully climbing the tallest freestanding mountain on earth.

Jonathan Bailey, aged 75, and Phillippa Cook, hiked to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of their much loved wife and mother, Angela Bailey, who died of cancer in December 2015.

And so far the pair have raised more than £2,600 for St Richard’s Hospice, where Mrs Bailey spent her last few days.

The trip was made even more poignant to husband and daughter as Mrs Bailey had climbed Kilimanjaro when she lived in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, when she was in her mid-twenties, shortly before she met her husband-to-be.

Mr Bailey said: "Angela and I met in Northern Rhodesia when she was working at the African Hospital and I was working in the Northern Rhodesian Police.

"Our favourite National Park was Amboseli from which we had spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. In later years when passing Kilimanjaro en route to Mombasa, Angela would often comment that she had climbed it and so, many years later, I now feel as though we have finally climbed it together.”

The climb was certainly not without its challenges, with the summit height standing at 5,995 metres or 19,341 feet.

Mr Bailey said: “The trek was certainly physically demanding and we both suffered from altitude sickness; we took the Machame Route, renowned as one of the hardest and longest routes, as we camped under canvas.

"Phillippa suffers from a fear of heights so as we climbed the Barranco Wall, known for presenting problems for hikers who are afraid of heights, it was certainly a massive challenge for Phillippa but one which she overcame.

“I was so pleased to be able to raise funds for St Richard’s; the wonderful compassion, kindness and care that all the staff showed to my wife was shared with our entire family and helped us through a very difficult time.”

The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support it can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can.

To donate to their fund, visit justgiving.com/Phillippa-Cook.