A Bury funeral director has described her “challenging” but “incredible” trek up Africa’s highest mountain in aid of two amazing charities.

Heidi Ramlaul, 48, flew to Tanzania last month to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of her much loved brother-in-law Ste “Rammy” Headley who passed away in January 2020, aged 50.

The mum-of-three travelled to Africa alone before joining a tour group of fellow adventurers looking to reach the summit.

The ascent, which took six days, took the group to the mountain’s highest point almost 6,000m above sea level – around 5,000m higher than the summit of Mount Snowdon.

At 4,300m, Heidi says she began to feel the effects of the altitude and lack of oxygen in the air.

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Bury Times: Heidi with her walking group on Mount Kilimanjaro, TanzaniaHeidi with her walking group on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Image: Heidi Ramlaul)

“I felt like I had been hit by a bus,” she said.

“After that, even just opening my bag was a struggle, you don’t realise what it does it you.”

“I felt so bad, I felt like I wasn’t going to make it, but I woke up the next day and I did it.”

Once she and the group reached the top of the mountain with the help of their guide, they could only spend 20 minutes taking in their surroundings before the effects of the altitude would begin to cause sickness.

“I couldn’t believe that I’d done it,” she said.

Since booking her Tanzania trip In February 2021, Heidi has raised £9,000 for two charities based in the region, homeless charity Cold Hands Warn Hearts and Manchester Children’s Burns Camp.

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Bury Times: Heidi takes in the spectacular views on Mount KilimanjaroHeidi takes in the spectacular views on Mount Kilimanjaro (Image: Heidi Ramlaul)

In preparation for her latest challenge, Heidi spent most weekends climbing mountains all over the UK, including in the Lake District and Wales.

She has also achieved the triple crown of reaching the British summits of Snowdon, Ben Nevis, and Scafell.

Speaking to the Bury Times last year, Heidi said her brother-in-law was always supportive of her walking, which she took up after a friend's father was diagnosed with cancer.

“I just wanted to do something to make Ste proud,” she said.

“He was always interested in my walking and encouraged me.”