A BOURNEMOUTH woman is embarking on the climb of her life in memory of a friend who lost his life to cancer.

Georgina Pegg, 35, is taking part in a challenging six-day trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro in a bid to raise £3,900 for the cancer charity Myeloma UK, after her friend of 20 years Tom Pantall, a former JCB worker from Uttoxeter, died from spinal myeloma in January.

The challenge is organised by Discover Adventure, who are specialists in trekking and cycling challenges worldwide for charitable fundraising.

The trek to the peak of the world’s highest freestanding mountain, some 5,896m, has been rated ‘extreme’.

Georgina, an occupational therapist, said: “It will be a mental and physical test of endurance climbing at altitude on one of the most impressive and well-known mountains in the world.

“I’m trekking Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of a dear and sadly missed friend, to celebrate his love for life and also to raise money for Myeloma UK.”

Her expedition begins on September 26.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Georgina can visit justgiving.com/georginapegg