Retired teacher Eric, 65, from Denbigh, and Gareth Roberts, 63, from Llannefydd, left three weeks ago to scale Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's Cancer Unit and the Royal Welsh Show project.

Now they are back home with photos and memories of the expedition which will last them a lifetime.

"The trek took us four and a half days to climb up with a day and a half to return to the park gate," said an exhausted but delighted Eric.

"We were in a party of 13 who were all considerably younger – mostly young professionals from the London Area. The camaraderie was great and we have spoken about a reunion in 12 months' time.

"It is was an adventure to remember and, at 500m above Everest base camp, you know you are on the roof of the world.

"Pole-pole is what the guides repeat in Swahili, which means 'slowly, slowly', not that you can go at any other pace!

"It proved harder than anything else in our lives, very demanding especially on that final ascent day, starting at 11.30pm, on a full moonlit evening tackling the final 4,300ft zig-zaging up a steep scree slope in freezing temperatures.

"The lower summit at Gilman's Point was reached as the dawn broke at 6am over that African horizon – a profusion of colours and shape and a joy that was shared by all present.

"The true summit at Uhuru point, undertaken only by some of us in the party, took another hour and a half. "We retraced our steps, descending very quickly down the scree followed by another trek back to our campsite at the Kibo Hut.

"An hour of rest and then another four-hour jaunt back to the Horombo Camp – at last a night's rest only to be followed by yet another 14-mile hike back the national park gate. It has been a wonderful experience, but unlikely to be repeated."

The two men, who practised their walking in the Clwydian range around Ruthin say they would recommend the Kilimanjaro challenge to anyone.

"It's a once in lifetime experience, but well worth the effort," said Eric.

"And if anyone wants any evidence of global warming – visit the mountain.

"In the last 25 years, the ice-field and the glacier have, to the greater extent, disappeared. "The earlier ascents would have proved much more difficult, demanding snow and ice techniques."

Eric said that the support they've received in donations for their hike has been encouraging with over £1,000 collected to date.

"My sincere thanks to all who supported the venture and to all for their generous donations - the fund will remain open until mid-October."

Anyone who would like to make a donation should call Eric on 01745 813849 or Gareth on 01745 540354.

If you'd like to say well done to the pair please leave a comment below