A FORMER health and safety manager from Willand has reached new heights after completing a 5,895m climb up Mount Kiliman-jaro.

Steve Underwood, who worked for Pall-Ex South West, based in Willand, spent eight days trekking to the peak of Africa’s highest mountain to raise money for Carers Trust.

Carers Trust assists and supports unpaid carers throughout the UK, providing assistance and financial services which enhance carers’ lives – including educational grants, respite breaks, and practical support.

The quest was sponsored by Pall-Ex, the UK and Europe’s leading palletised freight distribution network, who joined forces with Steve to donate more than £5,000 in support of his arduous challenge.

Pall-Ex South West managing director Roger Tancock said: “We were really keen to support Steve’s Kilimanjaro mission. But most of all we wanted to show our support for Carers Trust and its work on behalf of the millions of people providing unpaid support worth £119 billion throughout the UK every year.

Alison Houghton, senior fundraising manager for Carers Trust, said: “I would like to thank Pall-Ex South West, Steve Underwood, and the Pall-Ex network for their continued support of Carers Trust.”