Craig was on top of the world

Craig Collins has recently returned from Tanzania after conquering the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, to raise thousands of pounds for the Children’s Christmas Wish List charity, which he and his wife set up five years ago.

Sponsorship for taking on the challenge raised £7,000 for the cause, while a charity dinner held on Saturday added another £2,000 to the total. The money will be spent on Playstations, games, craft kits, teddy bears and other gifts to present to sick children staying at the children’s ward at University Hospital, Coventry.

Mr Collins said: “It was a slog and a real eye-opening experience. There were 24 of us and 16 made it to the top.

“It was very slippy at the top. Luckily I was fine with the altitude, although the last hour up was a real grueller.”

The 39-year-old, who last year jumped out of a plane to raise funds for the charity, said that by the time the trekking team made it to the top, everyone was so exhausted that there was “no jumping around” - although they did manage to party on into the small hours after reaching the bottom two days later.

He said: “People have already asked me what I’m going to do next year, but I think I might have the year off from big challenges.

“We did a sky dive last year and I did the trek this year, so I may organise a golf day instead next year.

“But climbing Kilimanjaro was definitely worth the effort. The ward is full so the need is great.”

Mr Collins and his wife Becky set up the charity after organising a fundraising night for friends who had cancer, who asked them to spend the proceeds on Christmas presents for children at University Hospital.

childrenxmaswishlist.org