Mark Boothman, Jeff Noon and Dave Kaye aren't ashamed to admit they shed a tear when reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

"Everyone was in tears. It was a very emotional experience," said 34-year-old Mark, of Green Avenue, Silsden.

"We were so choked, we couldn't speak," said his climbing companion Dave, 45, who lives in Harden.

"I've experienced nothing like it," said Jeff, 40, of Skipton Road, Keighley.

The three men have just returned from climbing the 19,340 feet high mountain in Tanzania - the highest free standing peak in the world.

Mark, a roofer, took on the challenge to raise cash for Airedale hospital's children's diabetic support group.

His eight-year-old son Bradley was diagnosed with the disease two years ago.

Jeff completed the challenge for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and Dave for the Lung Research Fund at Freeman's Hospital, Newcastle, in memory of a late friend. They have raised almost £9,000.

The climb took seven days, much of the time acclimatising to the altitude.

"It was absolutely exhausting. We had to dig really deep to get to the top. It was very slow going," said Mark.

He was so ill - feeling sick and with a raging headache - he posed for a quick photo and then left his two companions to make his way back down.

They were among a party of about 20 climbers for the 12-day trip run by Charity Challenge of London.