A TAVISTOCK man braved blistering cold temperatures and thousands of miles of trekking to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in an attempt to raise funds for two charities.

Lawrence Harris, 58, took on the challenge, funded by himself, to raise money for Devon Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes. He was accompanied by 16 strangers also attempting the climb, but was one of only eleven that managed to reach the top.

Legal advisor Lawrence said: 'I trekked across the Sahara in 2003 and completed the Inca Trail in Peru in 2007. Both the treks raised a great deal of money for a children's charity and Macmillan Nurses.

'For the Kilimanjaro challenge, I decided to fund myself as I did not want to have to ask for sponsorship to fund it as with the two previous treks.

'Family, friends and colleagues donated money so I decided to raise the very needy cash for both Help for Heroes and Devon Air Ambulance.

'The donations have been varied from a few pounds to more than one hundred. All of the donations have been at the discretion of the donator and it has been their choice whom they wish to donate to. Therefore the final amounts of monies for the two charities will be totally dependent upon the wishes of those who have given.'

Lawrence put in a lot of training before the climb: 'I trained for six months both at the gym and out on Dartmoor, pushing myself to my limits to ensure that I was physically fit enough for this challenge. 

'This was by far the most gruelling and physically challenging thing I have ever been involved in.

'The first five days of trekking up to the final base camp at Kibo Hut was enjoyable, but tiring due to the altitude and lack of oxygen. The temperature at the summit was as low as minus 18 degrees with a severe wind chill factor — it was extremely cold. I was wearing three layers on my legs, five layers on my upper half including a down jacket, three layers on my hands and three head coverings as well and just could not get warm.'

Lawrence is unsure of how much he has raised for the two charities as he is yet to collect in the donations.