A BARRY woman is taking on Africa's highest mountain in her dad's memory.

Sallyann Gomez, 57, is one of 15 walkers preparing to climb Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa at a staggering 19,341 feet (5,895 metres) tall.

The challenge will raise money for Cancer Research Wales – a charity which she has raised money for since her the death of her dad - David "Fuzz" Jones in 2017.

“Initially I started raising money for Cancer Research Wales due to my dad passing of cancer in 2017, after being ill for only nine weeks,” said Ms Gomez.

“It was a massive loss to me and all my family.

“Over the years several of my friends have been affected by this devastating disease and it has made me more determined to help raise the much-needed funds to tackle research into saving more lives.”

Ms Gomez raised more than £1,200 when she hiked the Inca trail in Peru in 2018.

Wanting to do more for charity, she signed up to take on Kilimanjaro in 2019 and - following numerous delays during the Covid pandemic - is taking on the amibitious climb on June 9.

“I have been gradually increasing my training walks,” said Ms Gomez.

“Last year I took on an 18-mile hike in Brecon, raising funds for Cancer Research Wales, and I recently completed a 23-mile hike of the Black Mountains in 12 hours.”

Ms Gomez works at Barclays - she was at the Barry branch but recently moved to the Pontypridd branch - and has doubled some of the funds raised through their Pound for Pound scheme.

“Customers, my family, and friends have been extremely supportive,” added Ms Gomez.

“Lots of amazing research is carried out in Wales, with scientists based in Swansea helping develop a less-invasive blood test that can be easily undertaken in GP surgeries.

“Although in its early stages, this award-winning research is shown to have an accuracy of more than 85 per cent.”

People can donate online at justgiving.com/fundraising/sally-gomez1