Three years ago pensioner Richard Saunders climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for World Jewish Relief.

But that wasn't enough of a challenge for the 67-year-old who has recently returned from a 14-day 136 kilometre trek to Everest Base Camp and a climb to the nearby peak of Kala Pattar, raising £6,500 for the Israel Sport Centre for the Disabled.

Mr Saunders, part of a group of 10 climbers, reached Everest Base Camp and very early the following morning most managed to climb to the top of Kala Pattar, whose highest point is 5,500 metres, where he said they had "spectacular views" of Everest.

"It was a long, hard, cold slog, but it was a great experience," said Mr Saunders who moved from Birmingham to Bournemouth when he retired. "I am so pleased that a significant sum has been raised for such a worthy charity, thanks to the generosity of donors."

However, he feels that "now is the time to swap my trekking boots for wellington boots and stick to working on my allotment in Bournemouth".