A SINGER who lost her baby cousin to meningitis climbed Africa's highest mountain to raise funds for charity.

Carly Molyneux, from Bolton, joined a team of seven people, all with personal experiences of meningitis or septicaemia, to scale Kilimanjaro in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

The 28-year-old, who performs regularly around Bolton, climbed in memory of Jayden Lee Conway, who died after contracting meningitis at just eight months old in 2010.

She said: “Sadly my beautiful cousin Jayden died of this horrible disease at such a young age. He was such a smiler.

"I wanted to complete this challenge raising money for the charity close to mine and my family's heart, to help make the world a little bit more aware of the disease and to help fund research in the process.

“It was the most amazing - and hardest - challenge I've ever done. I loved it. I met the most incredible people who truly want to make this world a better place, meningitis-free.

"We supported each other and made memories all the way to the roof of Africa. I will never forget this journey.”

During a seven-day adventure, the group trekked through tropical rain forests, ascending through cloud level and finally reaching their ultimate goal - Uhuru the 5,895m high ice-capped peak of Kilimanjaro, on Saturday, October 28.

Rob Dawson, head of support at MRF said: “We are extremely grateful to Carly and everyone who took part in this tough challenge. The funds that Carly has raised will help us enormously in our research, awareness and support programmes to ensure that other families don’t have to go through what Carly’s has as a result of meningitis and septicaemia.”

Carly has raised more than £3,000 for MRF and donations are still being accepted through Carly’s JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carlyemma89.

As a singer she covers various genres of music, performing across the UK and abroad.

Upcoming shows can be found at facebook.com/carlyemmamusic/

MRF warns that cases of meningitis and septicaemia are expected to rise over the winter period and people should be especially aware of symptoms.

Check you know the symptoms at meningitis.org/symptoms.