MUM and daughter Ragubir and Parveen Hargun, from Southall, joined a team of seven, all with personal experiences of meningitis or septicaemia, in climbing Africa’s highest mountain to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation.   

Ragubir, 53, and Parveen, 27, took on the challenge in memory of Paawan Purba.

Paawan, who died aged 20 in August 2016 from meningococcal meningitis, was Ragubir’s niece and Parveen’s cousin.

Parveen said, “Meningitis is a disease that can break hearts within a matter of hours. We never thought we would have to say goodbye to someone we imagined being part of every family event, every memory, every precious moment in our lives.

“Paawan was a vibrant, larger than life character who brought joy and giggles to everyone who knew her. Her laugh was infectious and there was never a day that you didn't see her smiling.

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“We hope our fund-raising will help mean that no other family has to endure the heartbreak of losing someone so dear and that our loss can be used to raise awareness of the symptoms of meningitis and the vaccines that can prevent it. This is what she would have wanted.”

“Trekking up Kilimanjaro was incredibly hard work, but it was the most amazing experience and we are proud of our achievement.”

The group trekked through tropical rainforests, ascending through cloud level and finally reaching the ice-capped peak on Saturday, October 28.

Ragubir and Parveen have raised more than £5,000 and hope to hit their target of £8,700. Donations can still be accepted at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/parveen-hargun