AN intrepid student from Kidderminster took on a daunting mountain climb to raise funds for the Children's Society.

Luke Hilton went on the 15-day trek in September - which involved him tackling a 5,500 metre ascent up the earth's highest mountain - Mount Everest - to the base camp.

The 19-year-old former Baxter College pupil's efforts saw him raise more than £2,800 for the charity.

Luke, who has just completed his first year studying political science and international relations at the University of Birmingham, said: "It was an incredible experience and it has still not sunk in how far up I climbed.

"When I started at university last year, they held an induction period and there was a stall advertising this. It was a great opportunity and I definitely wanted to get involved.

"I thought, 'when will I get the chance to do this?' and it also gave me the chance to raise money for a good cause.

"We flew to Katmandou in Nepal, before getting a helicopter to Lukla Airport, which is actually quite a scary and dangerous place to land.

"From there, we started the journey to the base camp. I have confess, the trek was a lot harder than I thought it would be."

He added: "The altitude especially got to a lot of the people who were doing it. Even one of the team leaders had to be airlifted down.

"But there was no way I was going to give up. I kept thinking about why I was doing it, the people who had supported me and the charity.

"I am delighted that I have completed it and thank everyone who backed me all the way."