FAMILY and friends from Clent turned out in force over the August Bank Holiday weekend to help Jess Harris complete the last leg of her Everest Challenge.

The 22-year-old medical student from Holy Cross has spent the past year taking on a series of climbs to match the 29,029 ft height of Mount Everest.

The challenge was devised by her dad, Rob Harris, a financial adviser in Hagley, as a way of focusing her attention after Jess was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 15-years-old.

They have since scaled the likes of Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike to more modest climbs up Clee Hill and Stiperstones.

The challenge didn't start too well as their first attempt on the Malvern Hills resulted in Jess suffering a seizure.

But since then Jess has taken the challenge in her stride and completed a total of 17 climbs - the final one being the 915 feet over Clent and Walton Hill.

She was joined by more than 50 people for the final chapter and proud dad Rob revealed: "I've looked into this and I don't think anyone else has ever completed this challenge."

Throughout the challenge Jess also raised over £3,500 for the Giles Trust Charity - based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The gutsy Bristol University student has now returned back to campus to resume her studies following a break due to illness - and ultimately she hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.

Rob added: "There were a few tears shed when Jess returned to Bristol. It was quite a challenge. Snowdon was particularly tough especially as Jess had double vision during the climb.

"We were quite taken aback when so many people turned up to support her for the final climb. We raised £250 on the day while more money went directly to the QE rather than through our JustGiving page.

"I cannot thank everyone enough for their support."

Anyone who would like to donate can still do so by going to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/everestchallenge2017