A FEARLESS Black Country trekker has completed an experience of a lifetime after conquering Mount Kilimanjaro.

Richard Westwood, who used to live in Norton, Stourbridge, before moving to Dubai, recently spent six days climbing one of the tallest peaks in the world.

Coming in one day under his week-long target, Richard reached the 16,000ft summit at 4.37am - just in time to see the sunrise.

He said: “It was an amazing experience to say the least. The trek went brilliantly and we set a great pace to finish one day ahead of schedule.

“It was a brilliant experience that left me buzzing for days, which certainly helped with the recovery!”

No stranger to charity challenges, in recent years the airline pilot has cycled from Land’s End to John O'Groats, walked the Pennine way, and taken on the national three peaks challenge, the Yorkshire three peaks challenge, the Welsh 3000 challenge, among others.

Richard, known to his friends as ‘Fudge’, tackled his latest fundraising quest for Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of friend Rachel Smith, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.

He said: “I want to do everything I can to support Rachel’s battle by helping the charity of her choice.

“I've raised money several times in the past and I’m already over £1,000 with this challenge, but I would love to raise even more.”

To support Richard’s Mount Kilimanjaro climb and donate to Pancreatic Cancer UK visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Richard-Westwood7