Cancer survivor scales Kilimanjaro for charity

A bowel cancer survivor has scaled Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money in aid of fellow sufferers' care, to give back after his recovery.

Mark Harrington was joined by friend Dean Hands, both from Warwickshire, climbed to the summit of the mountain in Tanzania from base camp in four days, battling snowfall and freezing temperatures.

Mr Harrington had life-saving emergency surgery in 2023 after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and has raised more than £4,000 towards a £10,000 target.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) Charity said the duo and their entire team would make a "real difference" for future patients.

It's not the first time Mr Harrington, from Alcester, and Mr Hands have been involved in fundraising for medical support.

They both cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats last year, leading to Warwick Hospital opening a new colorectal care facility, named the Harrington Suite in his honour.

The suite opened in May after Mr Harrington raised £9,320 for the charity.

A SWFT Charity spokesperson said, "We are incredibly proud of Mark, Dean and the entire team for completing such an intense and unpredictable challenge.

"Their resilience and determination will make a real difference for future patients, and we are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to enhancing bowel cancer treatment at SWFT."

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