A FUNDRAISER from York has survived severe oxygen deprivation and temperatures of minus eight degrees to reach the top of Africa’s highest mountain.

Andy Shield has returned home after conquering the 5,895-metre summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during a gruelling six-day trek.

The 29-year-old, who works as an early years training team manager for City of York Council, has already raised £500 for the Guardian Angels children’s high dependency unit at York Hospital and aims to at least double that figure.

The money will fund extra equipment for the lifesaving unit, which was built last year following The Press’s three-year £300,000 Guardian Angels Appeal.

Andy, of Acomb Park, said: “The treatment staff are able to give children in the unit is fantastic and I’m happy to be supporting this charity – it was very much in my thoughts during the trek.

“Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Physically it was tough, especially on the last night when we were going for the summit.

“The aim was to get there for sunrise, so we set off at 11pm, and it was such a struggle. That was the only time when the altitude really affected me. I had a thumping pain in my head and I was also completely shattered.

“To reach the top was just amazing – it was such a great achievement and I just felt so elated.”

To boost his fundraising kitty, Andy is holding two courses – a first aid session aimed at parents and guardians and a food safety workshop aimed at parents and carers.

The first-aid course will take place on December 5 at the Marriott Hotel, in Tadcaster Road, from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will be delivered by a qualified instructor from Tadcaster-based company First Rescue.

The six-hour session will include training on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), allergic reactions, bleeding and shock, choking, meningitis, poisoning, bites and stings, burns, minor head injuries and basic treatment of fractures.

The cost is £30, with all profits going to Guardian Angels.

The food safety course will be held at Oaklands Sports Centre, in Acomb, on December 12, from 10am to 2pm, and will cover topics such as food poisoning, food-borne illness, safe food storage, temperature control and allergic reactions to food.

It will be delivered by the York-based training company Kings Safety and costs £10, with every penny going to Guardian Angels.

To book your place on either course, phone Andy on 01904 553017.