A FATHER is to climb Africa’s tallest mountain in memory of his daughter.

Philip Kitchener will scale Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania later this month, in a bid to raise £20,000 for the fund set up after his daughter, Sarah, 27, died of a brain tumour in March last year.

Sarah was a trainee accountant and lived in Tall Trees, Mile End, until she became too ill and moved back to her family home in Wickford.

She defied doctors’ predictions by not only returning to work for a short time, but also working as a volunteer for five months at Colchester General Hospital, where her father is a senior manager in estates.

Mr Kitchener, 59, will be joined by 14 of Sarah’s friends or relatives on the climb, including her husband Dave Perrow, who she married in May 2008, and her brother Peter, 26.

He said: “Sarah showed great courage and determination during her illness and we hope to honour her positive spirit by completing this challenging feat.

“Despite going through gruelling surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she always managed to face the world with a smile and her vibrant personality shone through.

“She was a true inspiration and touched all those she met. So many people were amazed at the way she managed to stay focused on living her life to the full.

“When obstacles were put in front of Sarah, she saw them as challenges to be conquered – which Kilimanjaro clearly is.”

All those taking part in the climb are paying for the trip themselves, so all money raised will go directly to the fund, which is linked to the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.

The group leaves next Friday for the week-long trip.

Mr Kitchener and his wife, Nicky, who works at Southend Hospital, have raised money through a string of events in the last year. About £15,000 has been pledged or donated so far, but the final target is £20,000.

Mr Kitchener has also received a note of support from rugby union star Jonny Wilkinson, a patron of the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.

He said: “It is vital to raise as much money to carry on with the wonderful work the Fund do and make people aware of this dreadful disease. At the same time, we must ensure special people like Sarah and the many others who have lost their brave fight have not done so in vain.”

To sponsor Mr Kitchener, go to www.justgiving.com/ kilimanjaroclimb-2011