A TEAM of intrepid charity trekkers waved the Dorset flag from Africa’s tallest peak.

The team of 13 carried out their Mount Kilimanjaro mission, in Tanzania, in aid of the Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund.

It began when a group of musicians and friends from Dorchester decided to get together and make a difference.

The charity was set up in memory of Dorchester musician Steve Charles to raise money for seriously ill people in need of urgent treatment.

They arrived in Tanzania at the end of last week and set off on the climb on Monday before reaching the 5895m summit on Saturday.

The team includes Tommy Lillington, Lee and Jamie Burton, Barney Stevens, Badger Watts, Jack Daniels, Benny Wain, Tom Caulfield, Donna Read, Carole Landon, Tim Emberley, Jane Massey, Alasdair Murray and Jess Burridge.

Mr Daniels posted on the blog saying: “I started the charity when fellow musician and friend Steve Charles could not afford £5,000 to fund private treatment as a last chance help for his throat cancer.

“I thought it was sad, that a man who had given the town so much with his music could not be helped because of money.

“I renamed the charity "The Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund", in memory of Steve so that nobody should not be helped to live longer, if we can help them.”

The charity recently helped a Dorchester woman with breast cancer to fund her trips to Poole Hospital for treatment and to help the family of a five-year-old who suffered a stroke.

Mr Daniels added: “I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with some friends to raise the profile of the charity and hopefully raise some funds.”

Sadly, charity trekker Donna had to stay at Barafu Camp after being hit with altitude sickness.

On their last night on the mountain, the team met back up with Donna and had a traditional Tanzanian meal.

For more on their journey or to donate visit here.