Princess Alice Hopsice’s fundraising efforts have had a bumper start thanks to the efforts of two dedicated women.

Surbiton’s Bonnie Rolfe, 29, and Charlotte Richards, 27, have already secured more than £31,000 ahead of their mission to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

They set an initial target of £19,000 and thought it was impossible, but have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity.

The cause is very close to Miss Rolfe’s heart, as the Esher hospice cared for her mother Antonia before her death a year ago.

Miss Rolfe said: “My mum was not like most people. She treated cancer as an irritating inconvenience, not a death sentence, and refused to stop living her normal life.”

She said the hospice was incredible during the darkest hours, coming in on days off to support the family, and allowing relatives who wanted to be close to Antonia to camp on every spare bit of floor.

Miss Rolfe said: “No amount of altitude sickness or pain could compare to the suffering I watched my Mum endure. She was and continues to be my motivation and inspiration.”

Visit justgiving.com/BonnieRolfeandCharlotteRichards to support the pair.