A big-hearted Bradford student is scaling new heights to support her little sister’s fight against cancer.

Tehseen Mirza, of Undercliffe, will be climbing Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro on July 15 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 20-year-old Manchester Metropolitan University student said: “My sister Maria was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma on January 23, 2011, at the age of nine, and I’m determined to get to the summit of Kilimanjaro – 5,895 metres above sea level – in her name.

“A close friend has recently been diagnosed with leukaemia and we’ve lost other family members to cancer, so this is for all of them, too.”

Tehseen has already exceeded her fundraising targets for Macmillan Cancer Support by raising more than £5,650 in less than six months.

“The support has been amazing and I can’t say thank-you enough to those who have donated,” added Tehseen.

“We are so grateful for the excellent care and treatment Maria has received at both Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital in Leeds, as well as the wonderful support that Macmillan has provided throughout.”

Tehseen is an experienced and committed activist, having campaigned nationally and internationally on climate change with the children’s charity Plan UK.

She has been training for her latest adventure with a personal trainer for nearly a year, and will take in the Manchester 10k run on June 24 as part of her preparation.

“When I reach the summit I will firstly thank my trainer, Matt Kelly, at Manchester Printworks Virgin Active,” said Tehseen. “If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have been able to climb Kilimanjaro.

“I’ll also be thinking of Maria and the backing she has received from Macmillan and everyone who has sponsored me.”

Holly Middleditch, climate change co-ordinator at Plan UK, said: “Through her campaigning work with the Youth Climate Network, Tehseen has proved herself to be an impressive and committed young woman, so it is no surprise that she is taking on this incredible challenge.

“We are very proud of her and we will be behind her every step of the way up Kilimanjaro.”

Support Tehseen by donating via her justgiving page: justgiving.com/tehseen-mirza.