On top of the world after African trek

The 65-year-old, of Broome Manor, takes warfarin daily, after suffering a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot that had travelled from his leg to his lungs while on holiday with his wife in France in September 2010. It nearly killed him.

Despite this, he decided it would be a good idea to conquer Mount Kilimajaro and his condition did not stop him from reaching the summit.

Geoff, a freelance management consultant, has to check his blood levels regularly and could only undertake the trip up Kilimanjaro thanks to the help of Coaguchek XS – a handheld device that can test blood by reading the results from a simple pinprick to the finger.

Due to the extreme conditions, Geoff had to be extra vigilant and said the lack of oxygen led to him feeling similar to the way he felt before he was diagnosed with his condition.

The climb was a family affair for the father-of-two as he was joined by his two daughters, Susannah and Stephanie, his brother Rob and Rob’s daughter Sarah.

The aim was to was raise money for Richmond Fellowship TWIGS, a mental health charity based in Cheney Manor.

The only incident that led to concern was when Geoff skidded going down a steep track, and fell forward, gashing his chin and weakening his leg muscles.

He said: “I’ve always been keen on travel and outdoor adventures and I had already booked to climb Kilimanjaro in 2011. This was all before I had the pulmonary embolism in September 2010. And that put the tin hat on that.

“Overall, like others who have done it, I would say climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was one of the most demanding tasks I’ve ever undertaken, with the mental strain being just as challenging as the physical exertions. But being on the summit was amazing, the views were absolutely stunning.

“The Coaguchek made sure that my underlying health position was kept just like that – in the background- but managed.”

People wanting to donate can go to www.virginmoneygiving. com/kingkilichallenge2012.