A Sutton woman endured altitude sickness, torrential rain, and freezing temperatures during a gruelling six hour ascent of Africa’s highest peak.

Intrepid Sal Bolton took on the 5,895-metre climb to raise awareness after her twin sister was diagnosed with M.E, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The 36-year-old said: “I was drinking 3 litres of water a day, taking Diamox to relieve the painful headaches and tough hardship of altitude sickness and pushed through exhausting fatigue as I battled each day closer to the summit.”

“During these difficult times pushing with each step through the elements on the expedition 'breathing and believing', I would remind myself of all the people who believed in me and their support for my dream, and all the sufferers of M.E like my sister who I was helping.

“After a 9.5 hour last hike through the mental toughness of the arctic night, I reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Day 7.”

Sal chose to support charity Action for M.E by taking on the expedition, so far raising more than £1,300 from her efforts.

She added: “Before she was diagnosed, my sister like myself led a very active, interesting lifestyle, many dreams, many ambitions and aspirations before they were derailed by the onset of M.E and the years of humiliation, neglect and injustice that would follow from ignorant views of society and the medical profession as her condition worsened, robbing her of energy to live a normal functioning life.”

You can find her fundraising page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/salboltonclimbkili