A couple of intrepid explorers who set themselves a mountain task for charity have reached the peak a of their challenge.

Bridport’s Anna and Stewart Willmore climbed Kilimanjaro in aid of Stepping Out, a cancer rehabilitation group provided by charity the Living Tree.

Anna and Stewart spent eight days trekking on the Lemosho Route, walking more than 85km of rough terrain.

Anna said: “It was really enjoyable and a fantastic experience.

“Knowing of the sponsorship and the support from our family and friends kept us going throughout.

“The final ascent was really difficult at 5,900 metres, which we did overnight from 11.30pm.

“It was incredible to watch the sunrise from Stella Point before heading onto the Uhuru Peak.

“Others in our group suffered altitude sickness and did not reach the top. It was tiring and the altitude was the most difficult thing. t was also very steep, and took six to seven hours to climb, but it was worth it to reach the top.”

Stepping Out, created from a partnership between The Living Tree and Bridport Leisure Centre, is a 12-week rolling programme of twice weekly gentle exercises and educational wellbeing talks held for those with a cancer diagnosis, going through or have completed treatment.

The course is led by specially trained cancer rehabilitation instructors and is free to anyone with a cancer diagnosis and accessed by referral from your GP or other health professionals.

It is one of the many resources co-ordinated by the Living Tree, a support group that offers everything from friendship, creative activities and holistic therapies, to relevant diet and lifestyle information for anyone living with any type of cancer.

So far, Anna and Stewart have raised £2,500 for the charity from donations, a JustGiving page and sponsorship forms at Bredy Veterinary Centre.

Anna said: “Stepping Out is run by a really good friend, and I wanted to raise national recognition for it.”

A spokesman for Living Tree said: “We are absolutely delighted that Anna and Stewart did it.”

“It was generous for them to think of Stepping Out and the Living Tree and what they have done is quite an achievement.

“The money raised can pay for fitness instructors, equipment and different teachers for the taster and education sessions.”

When asked about her next big challenge, Anna said: “There are no plans for a future trek just yet, but we have now got a taste for it and we are just enjoying the memories.“We would like to thank Bradford’s Building Supplies Bridport, Bredy Veterinary clients, members of Stepping Out and living Tree, our dear family and friends and everybody else who gave so generously to our cause.”

Anna’s JustGiving page is still taking donations, and sponsorship forms will be at the Bredy Veterinary Centre until the end of March. To make a donation, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/anna-willmore