Zookeeper in charity climb to protect endangered species

A Group of Zookeepers from across the east have made it to the top of Mount Killimanjaro to raise money for the animals they care for.

Kim Simmons from Linton Zoo near Cambridge reached the summit after an overnight climb to reach the top.

Kim said. "We reached Stella Point and had a further hard push one slow step at a time, with lack of oxygen, all of us frozen and exhausted, we got to Uhuru point, Swahili meaning freedom.

One how later, at 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) we were standing on the top of the highest peak on the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The team all agreed that it was without a doubt the most physically challenging, mentally and emotionally challenging thing we had all done."

Kim is hoping to raise money for an African charity called "The Lion Guardians" which helps protect lions living in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Kim herself, has hand reared lion cubs in her own home.