A KEIGHLEY man whose sister was looked after by Manorlands before she died of cancer climbed Ben Nevis with his young sons to support the hospice.

Sajjad Sadiq, of Knowle Park, completed the 1,345-metre ascent on Saturday (July 28) with his 13-year-old son Mohsin, a Beckfoot Oakbank School pupil, and nine-year-old son Sohail, who attends Ingrow Primary.

Mr Sadiq said the trek had been an exhausting but rewarding experience for his family.

He said the actual climb was preceded by a gruelling eight-hour drive from Keighley to Fort William, the last stage of which was amidst torrential rain.

“We got into Fort William just before midnight, then began heading up the mountain at 11am the next day,” he added.

“We had another downpour when we started the climb but luckily after about 20 minutes it cleared up.

“It wasn’t until 6.30pm that we got to the top, where we had a rest in the weather observatory before coming back down.

“We didn’t reach the bottom until 11pm, so it took us all day. But overall I’m really pleased with how it went.

“It was an amazing accomplishment by Mohsin and especially Sohail, considering he had fractured his right shin only 18 months ago.

“We’d like to convey our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the love and support shown to us and to everyone who donated for Manorlands.

“The response we’ve had so far has been amazing, and it really will make a difference.”

The family’s online donation page is still available at justgiving.com/fundraising/sajjad-sadiq

This was Mr Sadiq’s second time up the mountain, which he last ascended in 2011.

He said he had lost three members of his close family to cancer within eight months, one of whom was his sister, Tazeen Akhtar who also lived in Knowle Park.

She died in 2016 aged 49, only three months after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Mr Sadiq, who works as a heavy goods vehicle driver, said his sister had received an “amazing” standard of care in Manorlands.

As of Monday afternoon (July 30) he and his sons had so far raised more than £500 of their £1,000 target for Manorlands.

Mr Sadiq said: “I hope this will inspire other people to do what we’ve done, and to also do it for a good cause.

“We’re still encouraging people to come on board and donate, it doesn’t have to be a massive amount.”