A woman from Ashford is taking part in an epic climb on Africa’s highest mountain, to raise vital funds for the charity that supports her younger brother’s debilitating illness.

Emma Gardiner, 27, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - a height of 5,895m or 19,341ft - to fundraise for Duchenne Now.

The charity that seeks to find and fund treatments, trials and a cure for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, which her 12-year-old brother Leon was diagnosed with.

Miss Gardiner said: “We formed Team Leon – which consists of family and friends – in 2011 after Leon’s diagnosis and have taken part in marathons, skydives, a firewalk, markets, fetes and pub quizzes amongst others.

“We have raised £20,000 towards funding research to find a cure for Duchenne.”

Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition. It affects the muscles causing weaknesses which start in childhood and increases with age.

Around one in 3,500 children in the UK are born with the condition which shortens life spans.

She added: “This is our biggest challenge yet, self-funded and 100% of funds raised goes to Duchenne Now, where all money goes solely to research and trails for Duchenne.

“With a lot more training and effort we’ve named this challenge Move a Muscle for Leon.”

Leon, like many others with the degenerative disorder is wheelchair bound. He lives in Paignton, Devon, where Emma also grew up, with their mother Dawn and their siblings.

Miss Gardiner spoke about her motivation: “My inspiration to keep doing these challenges are sparked from the desperation to stop my brother suffering.

“The strength I’ve gained from my brother and how he manages his condition and how positive he is day to day means I can find the strength to climb Kilimanjaro.”

Miss Gardiner will trek up Kilimanjaro with her uncle David Maggs, 45.

The climb will begin on Thursday, September 21 for 11 days, and they aim to reach the summit on the ninth day.

To donate, visit the JustGiving page.