A MALMESBURY resident was on top of the world having scaled the 19,000 feet hike up Mount Kilimanjaro for a cause close to her heart.

Becca Hing was part of a team of 19 fundraisers from around Gloucestershire and neighbouring counties that took on the climb for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC).

The group battled altitude sickness, severe fatigue and a snow storm during their seven-day trek up the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and raised £78,000 in the process.

GWAAC head of fundraising and marketing, Emma Carter, was one of the team that joined Becca on the climb.

She said: “During the past seven days I have had some of the best and worst experiences of my life.

“Physically it was tiring, especially summit night, which was the hardest thing I have ever done.

“It was also mentally challenging, and we had to remain strong and focused to ensure we made it.

“Standing on the roof of Africa was amazing, a real once in a lifetime experience.

“Knowing that we had raised £78,000 for a charity that is so close to my heart was the icing on the cake.”

The money the team raised will help GWAAC to continue their vital work across the region.

Each life-saving mission they take on costs on average £2,000, so fundraisers such as this are crucial to secure their future.

Becca decided to take part in the climb after the GWAAC saved her father’s life after he had a cardiac arrest in the street two years ago.

The air ambulance were called and arrived in 12 minutes with a critical care paramedic and doctor onboard who managed to stabilise him enough to be loaded into the helicopter and transport him to hospital.

Speaking about the incident, Becca said: “Without the GWAAC treating him and getting him to hospital so quickly he wouldn’t be here with us today.

“This is my small way of giving something back.”

The GWAAC’s next fundraising challenge is a trek across the Great Wall of China in 2018.

Anyone who might be interested in taking part in the event and raising money for the air ambulance should email sam@gwaac.com