Three Ammanford friends have conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, the largest free standing mountain in the world, to raise money for a charity close to their hearts, RYAN4LUKEAIMA.

Paul Griffiths, Jason Evans, and Nick Salini scaled the 5895-metre peak, travelling through five different eco-systems, to raise in excess of £1,500 for R4L.

The climb which tested them to their limits, both physically and mentally, was a lot tougher than the three intrepid explorers could have ever imagined.

“We expected the climb to be tough, but we never imagined it to be as tough as it was,” said Paul.

“It was a physically challenging with long days of walking.

“However, we couldn’t have got through it without the support of everyone on the trip, and all the staff, who worked extremely hard to ensure we had the best chance of completing it.”

On the final day they completed painful a seven-and-a-half hour 1,200-metre ascent, in the dark, to reach the summit, and watch the sun rise.

Paul added: “It was an absolutely amazing experience, but not one we will be rushing back to do anytime soon.

“It's been ticked off the bucket list and we are all happy to now leave it there.”

The charity R4L was set-up 2007 by Ryan Davies, an Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Ph+ patient, and since then, has raised a staggering £28,000.

All the money raised will go towards helping local people, hospitals and leukaemia patients.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We would like to personally thank Paul, Jason and Nick for their most recent achievement to the charity.

"As a family, to think people gave up their time, effort, and more importantly being away from their respective families for that amount of time really doesn't quite sink in.

"Thank you and each and every person that has liked, donated, supported, the charity.

"Long may it continue."