Plymouth Evening Herald editor Alan Qualtrough has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro for the second time.

The journalist reached the summit of the world's highest freestanding peak on Friday morning, after climbing 20,000ft to raise money for the paper's Give A Child A Chance appeal.

Alan during last year's challenge

It is the second time he has completed the challenge. Last year he joined 33 other walkers to raise money for the Plymouth-based St Luke's Hospice.

After reaching the top this time, Alan said: "I'm tired but elated. It's cold, my feet are sore, but we've cracked it."

He left Plymouth on September 30 and began the climb two days later.

As part of the challenge he was sponsored £5,000 by Plymouth's biggest commercial landlord, Michael Hockin of London & Westcountry Estates.

Give A Child A Chance aims to raise £500,000 to improve the facilities for children and their families attending community child health services within Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk