Scaling highest mountain in sister's memory

Mandy Britton and Michael Denton took on Mount Blanc inspired by the life of the late Toni Britton. Michael made it to the peak of the 4,810m (15,771ft) summit.

But altitude sickness, which threatened serious damage to her health, stopped Mandy getting further than two-thirds of the way up with a photo of Toni in her rucksack for inspiration.

That did not stop the Fairlands couple's mountaineering exploits raising at least 1,300. The money is being donated to the patients' participation group at Maywood Health Centre.

Its members will decide with Mandy and Michael which equipment to buy with the donation to bring the greatest benefit to patients.

Mandy said: "The surgery were always very supportive to Toni and her family and they always had time for us. We wanted to recognise that as well as remember Toni.

"People were generous to us and pleased to support us."

Toni died last December 13 at the age of 38. Her cause of death was multiple organ failure which resulted from a urinary tract infection. But she underwent various operations in her life because of spina bifida.

Mandy (40) said: "Toni had a fighting spirit about her. She achieved some GCSEs from Chichester College."

She lived independently for many years in London Road before moving into an annex at the home of her mother, Penny Britton, in the Bognor area.

Toni was well known around the town, especially for her love of music. She was a keen supporter of Rox.

Her funeral brought together more than 200 of her friends. A collection among them raised 800 in aid of the Lane-Fox Unit at St Richard's Hospital.

Outdoor life fans Mandy, a cleaning company owner, and scaffolder Michael (39) decided to use their love of pastimes such as mountaineering to raise even more money in memory of Toni. Mount Blanc in the Alps seemed an obvious challenge.

They sent off in mid-July. Terrible weather blighted their attempt. Mandy made it up to 3,800m before their guides recommended that she stop for her safety.

Michael carried on to the summit but a looming storm meant he had to complete the final stage in three-and-a-half hours instead of the six hours usually recommended.

"It felt a relief to get to the top. It was an anti-climax, though. I didn't enjoy it one little bit because I was so exhausted. I was only there for ten minutes and it was very cold. The temperature was about -25C," he said.

The couple's next fundraising venture will be at ground level. They intend to organise a race night next year and provide more benefits to the community in her name.

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