A WIDOWER blind in one eye has raised more than £5,000 for cancer charities whilst preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Following the death of his wife, Judith, Patrick Moran vowed to tackle Africa's highest mountain in her memory.

Despite suffering a detached retina, the 55-year-old has been training rigorously.

Already, events have been held to raise money for the Teesside Hospice Care Service, which cared for Mrs Moran during her battle with cancer, while Specsavers has donated £600.

In the months leading up to her death, in February last year, Mrs Moran, known as Judy, penned her own eulogy, in which she listed climbing Kilimanjaro at the age of 18 as one of the highlights of her life.

Mr Moran said: "It certainly will be difficult, but I'm doing it for Judy.

"Judy was in Africa working as a nanny when she climbed the mountain. It was one of the highlights of her life and I want to share that memory.

"Being sponsored is my way of repaying the tremendous work of the Macmillan nurse and the staff of Teesside Hospice, who were a great comfort to her during her last few months of life."

Mr Moran, who lived with his wife in Redcar, east Cleveland, for 13 years, suffered a detached retina the day before their wedding in 2003. Months after the wedding, Judy was diagnosed with cervical cancer and died last Februry.

It will take Mr Moran eight days to climb the mountain and he will set off on January 18.

To sponsor him, call (01642) 488017.