A HOSPICE chairman made his way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a kitchen sink strapped to his back.

Jim O’Toole completed his trek up Africa's highest mountain and raised more than £9,950 on his JustGiving towards a modernised kitchen at St Kentigern Hospice. The St Asaph based build is undergoing a refurbishment and extension.

Mr O' Toole made the tough journey through varying terrains. He battled both wintery and windy conditions.

As well as making his way to the top with the kitchen sink, Mr O'Toole also celebrated his 77th birthday enroute.

Jim said: "I’m very appreciative of the generous support I have been given to date in raising the funds needed for the new hospice kitchen. The climb was very challenging and a truly amazing experience.

"Carrying the kitchen sink to the summit certainly captured the attention and generosity of fellow trekkers along the route and increased their awareness of the importance of the financial support that will be needed by hospices."

Mr O'Toole took over as role of chairman at the St Asaph based hospice in 2017.

He added: “St Kentigern is currently investing to ensure that the accommodation at the hospice is modernised and extended to meet the increasing palliative care needs of the local community.

"The new kitchen facilities will be at the centre of the hospice providing healthy meals for patients and visitors and also to service the new community café.”

St Kentigern started work on the revamp project in October 2018. It will take 12 months to complete the £2.5m expansion, which will give the facility a 50 per cent increase in capacity.

Mr O'Toole paid all his own expenses for the climb.

Donations are still welcome. Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jim-otoole