A PENSIONER from Harrow braved the peak of the highest free-standing mountain in the world raising almost £4,500 for charity.

Saleem Akhtar, 69, climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for charities Imran Khan Cancer Appeal and Imran Khan Pakistan Flood Relief.

The six-day trek involved a 120km round trip and Mr Akhtar was the oldest member of the group.

He said: “I am very thankful to God for giving me the strength to make it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I set off with a party of 18 seasoned trekkers. I was by far the oldest member at 69, with the second oldest 50 and the majority of the rest in their 20s and 30s.

“The first four days saw us reach the summit at 5896m, the toughest being the fourth day when we started the final climb from the last camp at Barafu - altitude 4,600m.

“We started at midnight with our head torches toward the peak through the rarefied atmosphere.”

Mr Akhtar said many of the trekkers suffered from altitude sickness because of a lack of oxygen.

He added: “One person, Danny, had already been sent back because of severe altitude sickness. I was one of the few lucky ones not to suffer too badly.

“We made it to the summit at around 6:30am on March 31 - easily the proudest day of my life.

“We all had photo sessions and were ordered to start moving down quickly in order not to expose ourselves to the lack of oxygen for too long.”

Mr Akhtar added as a result of the climb down the mountain he lost four toenails.

He said: “I wish I could say coming down was easier because it definitely was not. We had to complete the whole climb down in two days which took its toll on our toenails.

“I am currently nursing four black toenails which I will end up losing - a small price to pay for being the oldest person of South Asian origin to climb the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I hope this will inspire people to donate generously to my chosen charity, Imran Khan Cancer Appeal and Imran Khan Pakistan Flood Relief by going to www.justgiving.com/saleem-akhtar0”