A MOTHER’S pilgrimage in her daughter’s memory has raised more than £12,000 for a family charity.

Grandmother Carol Allenby-Carr was devastated by the sudden death of her beloved daughter Victoria Harris while the couple were walking in the Lake District in July last year.

They were on one of their regular visits to the area, on a fell called Haystacks, when Victoria suddenly fell. She suffered severe head injuries and, tragically, died.

Victoria had been raising money for Reuben’s Retreat, a Manchester-based charity which provides respite for families who have suffered the loss of a child or who have children with life-limiting illnesses.

Carol, who is a Travel Counsellor and has worked for many years in the Bolton area, was already involved with the charity and pledged to carry on Victoria’s work — including tackling Mount Kilimanjaro. Her daughter had already booked on a charity trek to Everest base camp and had always wanted to climb the famous 19,336 feet high Kilimanjaro.

So, Carol from Atherton, took up the mantle, supported by her friends Neill Calland, Sean McCaul and Tony O’Malley, on the organised trek. They began hard training first, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks’ challenge, in preparation.

Then just 12 months after Victoria’s death, Carol and friends climbed the peak on an emotional trip.

There was also another poignant moment on the trip when Carol completed her pilgrimage by scattering Victoria’s ashes on the mountain’s summit.

The final tally was also aided by a charity event at Rendezvous in Atherton.

Carol thanked her dedicated companions and commented: “It was a tough challenge and at times almost brutal.

“On the third day I got altitude sickness and was really sick.

“I was gutted thinking that I might not be able to carry on, but after being given some oxygen I was good to go again.

“It was so important for me to complete this challenge, not only because so many people had supported me with sponsorship, but I was doing this for Victoria and I know she was with me every step of the way, willing me to go on.”

To donate to Carol’s Just Giving page go to justgiving.com/CAROL-ALLENBY-CARR3