Swansea City's Brendan Rodgers climbs Kilimanjaro

Brendan Rodgers (left) at Gilman's Point on the way up to the summit

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers has followed up his promotion to the Premier League two weeks ago by completing the climb up Kilimanjaro.

Rodgers dedicated his climb to his late mother Christina who died last year, and father Malachy, who has cancer.

The Premier League's newest boss was raising money for a cancer charity as part of a 17-strong team representing the Football League.

BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and Sky pundit Chris Kamara were among the climbers.

"This has been one of the most stressed physical and mental experiences of my entire life," said Rodgers.

"But it has been a wonderful team effort to get to the summit.

"Ninety per cent of the group reached the summit, an amazing achievement when you consider that only 45% of people who attempt it actually do it.

"I'm overwhelmed that I've done the double this season and this is dedicated to my mum, dad and all my family, friends and Swans fans that have supported me."

Rodgers had little time to celebrate guiding Swansea into the Premier League for the first time following the 4-2 win over Reading in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on 30 May.

He was soon making his way to the foot of Africa's highest mountain, hoping to successfully climb 19,341ft to the summit.

And after a gruelling five days of trekking, the team set off at midnight on Tuesday to make the final six hour ascent.

Fantastic

The group, led by Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara and known as Team Kammy, stood watching the sunrise over the spectacular views of the savannah plains.

They all donned their club colours to bring The Football League to Africa's highest peak.

Northern Ireland-born Rodgers' target was to raise £2,000 from the climb but that figures stands at almost £12,000

The overall target was to raise £500,000 to help provide 25,000 hours of free nursing care for people in their own homes.

So far the team has raised more than £150,000.

John Nagle, head of communications for the Football League, said: "For the group to conquer Africa's highest mountain and raise so much money in the process has been a fantastic way for us to crown The Football League's season of support for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

"We offer our congratulations to all those that have taken part."