A YORK father was on top of the world after scaling Kilimanjaro and raising more than £6,700 for research into a seizure disorder which affected his son as a baby.

Chris Scoffield, a Dunnington businessman, has described the tough conditions as he approached the summit of the mountain in Tanzania, which stands at 5,895 metres above sea level.

“Nothing could quite prepare for the conditions we faced on summit night,” he said.

“We had enjoyed five days of sunshine but, commencing our trek for the summit at midnight on day six, temperatures dropped to minus 15 degrees and a snow storm raged.

“These conditions coupled with the increasing altitude were extremely challenging. However at 6am on day six, we reached the summit and seeing the famous wooden sign was certainly worth it.”

Chris, who is managing director of the rail and aviation business of construction company Galliford Try, said he was raising funds for Epilepsy Research UK and UKIST (UK Infantile Spasms Trust).

He said they were both very close to his heart because his son Edward was diagnosed at seven months old with Infantile Spasms (IS) - a rare form of epilepsy that occurred in young children.

“Thanks to a new research study Edward responded very quickly to the recommended treatment and is now a cheeky little two-year-year old and remains seizure free.”

He said the climb had been an incredible adventure, made special by the energetic local guides and porters who supported him from start to finish.

“I was part of a 21-person group led by an experienced British expedition leader, British doctor, and Tanzanian guides. We were supported by a team of 80 Tanzanian porters - without their support it would not have been possible.”