THE African mountain-climbing exploits of a Thurrock man have won him huge praise from the local community.

Fred Graham from Stanford-le-Hope, perhaps best known locally for his exploits as a former Football League referee, recently completed a climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

58-year-old Fred made the trek to the top of the 19,341 ft peak to raise funds for the Katie's Heart Appeal charity.

Last year Fred, whose career refereeing highlights were taking charge of a League Two play-off semi-final game and being fourth official in May 2010 at the League One play-off final at Wembley, raised money for local life-saving heart defibrillators with a number of UK climbs and challenges but decied to go for the big one this year.

He completed the climb of Africa's largest mountain on 11 August.

Fred, who wore an East Thurrock United scarf when he reached the peak and waved a Katoie's Appeal T-shirt, had arranged support from many local sponsors and will be collecting the money to directly purchase equipment over the next month.

He says: "If you can spare a few quid for this fantastic charity then please message me directly so I know what you are donating. This is not you guys paying for me, I have paid for myself to go. Many thanks in advance."

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Fred (who has now been certified - see above) can be contacted via his Facebook page where there are many pictures of his successful adventure.