AN ACADEMIC from Hook has taken on a mountain of a challenge in her father's memory for charity.

Dr Jenny Renju, a public health researcher for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, challenged herself to both run a half marathon and then climb Mount Kilimanjaro to benefit a charity.

The challenge was in memory of her father Donald Komrower, who died a few short weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Donald was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme, a highly aggressive type of tumour after suffering from stroke-like symptoms in February 2012. He died three months later at 63-years-old.

Originally from Hook, Jenny, 40, has lived in the foothills of Kilimanjaro for the past seven years, and having ran her first ever half-marathon around Africa’s tallest mountain earlier this year, she recently completed her challenge by climbing to the top.

Jenny was joined by her husband Joseph on the climb up the mountain.

Jenny said: "The mountain was both a mental and physical challenge.

"I’m very grateful to Joseph for accompanying me and to his company Milestone Safaris for sponsoring us on the trek.

"After five days of walking, rather slowly, to base camp It took us more than eight hours to reach the top and we fought through altitude sickness along the way, but it was a stunning, humbling and emotional journey.

“For each gruelling step of the climb, and of my half marathon, I was inspired by Dad who was an incredible man, kind, caring and supportive. He was driven by his principles and was passionate about things that mattered to him and to society at large."

Jenny added: “I was also spurred on by the strength of my wonderful aunty, Angela Knowles. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour 10 years ago and sadly died in January this year from leukaemia. She remained strong, determined, funny, kind and caring throughout her treatment and she is sorely missed.”

Jenny has raised over £5,500 for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.

To donate to Jenny and her cause, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/jennydoeskili-threeways-run-it-climb-it-drink-it.

Senior community fundraising manager at Brain Tumour Research, Tim Green, said: “We are extremely thankful to Jenny for her Kilimanjaro challenge and hope she inspires others to fundraise for this vital cause."