Kilimanjaro hike in partner's memory 'life-changing'

Aly Westbrook wanted to raise money for the charity that helped her partner in his final months

A woman who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the charity that cared for her partner described the experience as "life-affirming and life-changing".

Aly Westbrook faced the challenge to raise funds for Severn Hospice in Shropshire, which helped Gary Richards in his final months.

Despite stopping short of the summit by doctors on the final day due to altitude sickness, Ms Westbrook said the challenge had changed her.

"It was amazing, for many reasons. Obviously emotionally, physically and mentally, it was a big challenge," she said.

'It gave me purpose'

The trek was part of a wider series of challenges that Ms Westbrook, from Wellington in Shropshire, has undertaken in memory of Mr Richards, who died last year from duodenal cancer.

She has raised more than £6,700 and plans to take on more challenges, including reaching the Everest base camp, and walking and kayaking coast-to-coast across Costa Rica.

"He would say 'just go for it'," she said.

Mr Richards, 57, was well-known in Telford as a member of the Wrekin Rowers, a team of four local men who rowed across the Atlantic.

He thought he had pulled a stomach muscle during the last hours of the 40-day Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, but was diagnosed with cancer.

He died about a year later and was cared for by the hospice for six weeks.

Ms Westbrook said she was in neither "great shape" physically or emotionally after Mr Richards died but after signing up for a challenge, she joined a boot camp the next day and started training.

"All of a sudden I had this focus and purpose and I wanted to help raise money for other people.

"My story was because of Gary."