A FAMILY has scaled Africa’s highest mountain in memory of a lost loved one.

The Dickenson family – mother Nikki, sons Stephen and Mark, and daughter Gemma – climbed the 19,341ft Mount Kilimanjaro in tribute to John, who died last April.

John Dickenson’s widow Nikki, 58, said: “It was a fitting tribute. We felt John’s presence with us very strongly.”

The family left Durham City for Tanzania on Boxing Day, began climbing on December 28, and reached the summit on Friday, January 1.

The family’s efforts have so far raised about £7,000 for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and Catholic Agency for Overseas Development’s South Africa Candlelight Fund.

Mr Dickenson, who was 58 when he died after an 18-month battle with cancer, was formerly chief executive of developers The Banks Group.